Ceres-Negros FC served JPV Marikina FC a 5-0 thumping over the weekend in their Philippine Football League (PFL) match at the Panaad Park and Stadium.

The home side got out to an early lead, scoring three goals within the first seven minutes of the match. Striker Fernando Rodríguez scored in the third minute, followed by midfielders Bienvenido Marañón in the fifth and Iain Ramsay in the seventh.

Midfielder OJ Porteria added to the tally shortly into the second half, while Marañón earned his brace in the 80th minute.

“Today, we were focused,” said Ceres FC coach Risto Vidaković during the post-match press conference. “We had a win and loss against Laguna but we didn’t play well; today, we played with a different mentality.”

With the win, third place Ceres narrowed the gap on the PFL table with second place Kaya FC-Makati to two points.

Due to the number of matches played outside the PFL, Ceres FC currently holds several games in hand compared to their opponents, six more than Kaya and three more than league leaders FC Meralco Manila.

Ceres next meets Davao Aguilas FC on Thursday, November 2./JSG, WDJ