United City opens PFL season with W over ADT

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--New name, same championship pedigree.

United City showed on Wednesday night that it remains a force to reckon with despite the makeover, edging the Azkals Development Team, 1-0, at the start of the PFL season at the PFF National Training Centre in Carmona.

Mike Ott's 25th minute strike made the difference as the club formerly known as Ceres Negros began its bid for a fourth consecutive league title on a high note.

Manny Ott found his brother open just outside the penalty area, giving him the ball that led to his eventual match clincher.

The older Ott, however, will not be around on Saturday night when United City takes on Mendiola as Referee Clifford Daypuyat showed him a red card for his hard foul on ADT's Simen Lyngbo.

Manny Ott's sendoff actually opened a chance for the ADT to equalize late in the match, but Anthony Pinthus, who was actually loaned by the ADT to United City, pulled off huge saves down the stretch to preserve the full three points for his current club.

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