BACK-TO-BACK titlist of the Philippines Football League Ceres Negros FC suffered a 3-1 setback to Davao Aguilas FC during the opening match of the inaugural Copa Paulino Alcantara over the weekend at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
This marked the Busmen’s consecutive defeat from the claws of the Aguilas which beat them 3-nil on August 12 at Panaad Stadium.
Ceres FC was in control of the match in the early first half with Blake Powell almost scoring a goal negated by Patrick Deyto’s fine save.
A weak back pass by Martin Steuble allowed Matt Hartmann to chip the ball in over Busmen keeper Roland Muller in the 38th minute.
Bienvenido Marañon tried the equalizer off a cross from Patrick Reichelt, but the shot went inches off from the right post.
Phil Younghusband doubled Aguilas’ lead following a lobbed shot over Super Herrera, last man on the defensive line, after Muller went off his position to challenge the unmarked Hartman. Busmen keeper’s clearance was taken by Younghusband.
Down by two goals at the break, Powell cut the lead in the 54th minute after Davao was called for handball inside the box.
Busmen tried to score the equalizer with Reichelt’s header which went straight to the keeper as Taj Minniecon restored Aguilas advantage in the 76th minute.
Ceres FC will next face Stallion Laguna FC on September 15 and 19 with a chance to avengeits loss to Davao Aguilas on September 22.(HGD)