Stallion Laguna trips JPV Marikina for 2nd PFL win

MANILA, Philippines - Stallion Laguna FC rolled to its second straight victory with a 2-1 disposal over JPV Marikina yesterday in the Philippines Football League at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Gabriele Mascazzini and Jess Melliza struck late and fired the equalizer (87’) and the marginal (89’), respectively, to propel Laguna to a follow-up win to its 2-0 disposal of Marikina four days before.

Stallion improved to 10 points and solidified its grip of sixth place while leaving fifth-running Marikina with 18 markers.

The Marikina booters drew first blood via Takashi Odawara’s opening goal nine minutes into the match but failed to hold on and surrendered two costly goals near the death to a resilient Stallion.

Meanwhile, OJ Porteria and Stephan Schrock delivered the goods as Ceres Negros nipped Davao Aguilas, 2-0, and wrested third spot Saturday night at Panaad Stadium.

Porteria unleashed a magnificent strike from the edge of the box in the 27th and Schrock evaded two defenders to double the Busmen’s lead 30 minutes later.

Ceres remained unbeaten at home and hiked its record to 20 markers, overtaking idle Global Cebu (also with 20) at No. 3 on goal difference.