Ceres Negros seeks repeat win vs. visiting JPV Marikina

BEFORE THE MATCH. JPV Marikina assistant coach Frank Muescan (left) with defender Lemuel Unabia and Ceres Negros assistant coach Ian Treyes (right) with mid-fielder Arnie Pasinabo during a press conference ahead of their second consecutive match at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City Saturday night. (Photo by Archie Rey Alipalo via PNA)

BACOLOD CITY — Ceres Negros will meet anew visiting JPV Marikina on Saturday night after a 4-1 domination in their previous encounter at the Panaad Stadium here three nights ago.

“We hope to continue our wins. We’re again playing against JPV Marikina this Saturday and we hope that we can show a positive way of playing football,” said assistant coach Ian Treyes a day ahead of their fifth Philippines Football League (PFL) match.

Forward OJ Porteria will miss this weekend’s 7 p.m. match after his halftime encounter with JPV Marikina head coach Dan Padernal in the previous game led to a red card.

Goalkeeper Toni Doblas was also sidelined last Wednesday due to a minor injury.  “We hope he can come back (for Saturday),” Treyes said.

He added that defender Manuel “Super” Herrera would probably be playing again after coming in as substitute last Wednesday.

“The club is always preparing for a good game. I assure you that we will have our best game again on Saturday,” Treyes said.

JPV assistant coach Frank Muescan said that despite losing to Ceres Negros last Wednesday, they are positive of the outcome of the next game.

“We can give an exciting match. The fans are excited about the match. We will not disappoint them,” he added.

Head coach Dan Padernal has also been suspended for Saturday night’s game due to the incident involving Porteria.

Defender Lemuel Unabia was hopeful to win against the hosts this time.

“We will just give our best. We hope that all my teammates will perform well. Our coach already has a game plan and we hope to get three points in (Saturday’s) game,” he said.

Ceres Negros is way ahead of JPV Marikina in the standings, leading with 35 points, or 12 points ahead of second placers Kaya FC Iloilo and Davao Aguilas, with 23 points each.

JPV Marikina has 10 points so far, placing fifth in the six-team league.