Ceres FC opens competition against Mendiola this weekend
By Adrian Stewart Co

Philippines Football League (PFL) champions Ceres-Negros FC open their 2019 Copa Paulino Alcántara campaign against Mendiola FC this weekend, Saturday, October 26, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the Aboitiz Pitch in Lipa City, Batangas.
The Negrense club won all four of their PFL meetings with Mendiola this season, scoring an aggregate 16 goals to three. Ceres midfielder Bienvenido Marañon scored a total five goals against the Manila-based club; while striker Robert Lopez Mendy put up six goals for Ceres, including four in their 5-2 win last August.
Meanwhile, defending cup champions Kaya FC-Iloilo play Philippine Air Force FC earlier in the day, beginning at 4:00 p.m.
The annual cup competition is named for Iloilo-born Paulino Alcántara, who played for FC Barcelona. Considered Barça’s “first star player,” he amassed a total 369 goals in 357 matches in his career with the Catalan club—an average of one goal per match.
The winner secures a spot in next year’s AFC Cup./ASC, WDJ