Cebu takes flight to top spot after 3-1 win vs. 10-men Mendiola

By Drew Malihan

MANILA--Dynamic Herb Cebu Football Club overtakes Kaya FC - Iloilo on top of the Philippines Football League table after putting a 3-1 show at the expense of Mendiola FC 1991 inside the PFF National Training Center in Carmona.

It was a heated affair in the first half as both teams' defense became key, denying any counterattack from either side.

Both goalkeepers, Joseph Ceniza from Mendiola and Jun Badelic from Cebu, had their shining moments as the two keepers keep denying potential goals to end the first half at deadlock, 0-0.

It was up until the second half where substitute Ivan Ouano scored in the 54th minute after going past four Mendiola defenders and putting the ball past Ceniza's guard, with Mert Altinoz getting the assist.

Five minutes later, Marius Kore doubled the tally for the Gentle Giants, sneaking past the Mendiola defense and converting the free kick to a second goal.

Cameroonian forward Junior Sam scores one back for the Valientes after running from half the pitch, going past the entire Cebu defense and getting the ball past Badelic in the 79th minute.

However, Mendiola suffers a huge blow as Ceniza sees red after an altercation with Cebu's Japanese forward Rintaro Hama due to both men colliding for a Cebu goal that was waved off.

Kintaro Miyagi put the final nail to the coffin of Mendiola as the Gentle Giants sits atop of the PFL table with 43 points in 18 games after the match, overtaking Kaya with 42 points in 17 games.

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