Meralco-Manila maintained its lead in the Philippines Football League after battling Global-Cebu to a scoreless draw over the weekend at the Cebu City Sports Center.
The Sparks had the closest chance of scoring a goal in front of almost 5,000 fans but Curt Dizon’s low attempt was deflected by Global goalkeeper Patrick Deyto in the second half, thus forcing the two sides to split a point each.
Meralco improved to 41 points, but its hold on first place was reduced to six after Kaya defeated Ilocos United, 1-0, on Jordan Mintah’s first-half header at the Quirino Stadium in Ilocos Sur.
Kaya climbed to second place at 35 points, moving past Global, which remained seven behind the top spot after blowing a chance to narrow the gap between them and Meralco.
Ceres-Negros, fresh from seeing its historic AFC Cup campaign come to an end, frustrated the Davao Aguilas with a 3-1 win at the Rizal Memorial Stadium even as Stallion-Laguna put itself in the hunt for the semifinals after a 1-0 triumph over JPV-Marikina at the Biñan Football Stadium.
Ceres leapfrogged JPV for fourth at 28 points in just 13 matches while Stallion, which won on Jess Melliza’s goal in the 77th minute, is one off JPV for fifth at 26 points.
Davao remained winless after 15 matches despite the major signings of brothers Phil and James Younghusband, producing just six points courtesy of six draws.