Despite pivotal win vs Kaya Iloilo, Vidakovic insists it's "too early" to already declare Ceres Negros PFL champ

OJ Porteria is yet to feel the PFL title back at Ceres Negros as of the moment. Ceres Negros FC (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

BIÑAN—With the current trend in the PFL league table, it was indeed fitting to hype the third round meeting between Kaya Iloilo and Ceres Negros on Wednesday night as the potential title decider.

A win by the defending league champ will stretch its lead over the reigning Copa Paulino Alcantara champ to nine points with eight matches left in their respective schedules, including one last showdown on Oct. 26.

It was indeed the case as Ceres Negros survived losing Super Herrera to a head injury and interestingly a red card as well and beat Kaya Iloilo, 2-0, at the Biñan Football Stadium.

[Related Story: Ceres Negros places one foot on PFL crown after edging Kaya Iloilo in tense clash]

However, Vidakovic said after the game that the title race is still far from over.

"Champions or no champions, I don't wanna think about it. It's too early [to tell] for me," the long-time Ceres Negros mentor said.

Man of the match OJ Porteria echoed Vidakovic's statement and added, "We don't feel like we won the league already. We have [eight] game left."

Based on the remaining fixtures of both clubs, however, the chances of Ceres Negros keeping the PFL title is very high since they still have at least one meeting left against the five other participating clubs with Stallion Laguna the toughest on paper.

Not to mention that included in Ceres Negros' remaining matches is the verdict of its cancelled match against Global Makati, which is still to be determined.

For Porteria, every win is now imperative from here.

"Now, our task is to win every single game that we have coming up," he said.

Stallion Laguna, which dealt Ceres Negros its only non-win so far in the season, a draw right on opening night, will host Ceres Negros on Sunday at the Biñan Football Stadium in one of three matches scheduled in the day.

Sunday will also see Green Archers United hosting Global Makati at the Aboitiz Pitch in Lipa and Kaya Iloilo hosting Air Force at the Iloilo City Sports Complex.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno