MANILA -- Iain Ramsay's hat trick proved to be the dagger for Ceres Negros as the club thrashed Global Cebu, 4-1, in the championship game of the first season of the Philippines Football League (PFL) at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City on Saturday.
Ramsay scored the last three goals for the home side as Negros won its fifth title in a national competition overall since it was founded in 2012.
Bienve Marañon drew the first blood for Negros with his goal in the fourth minute.
But from his 20th minute strike, it was all Ramsay.
Ramsay added another in the 27th minute before capping his impressive performance with the dagger goal in the 61st minute.
Cebu averted a shutout on the road as Darryl Roberts scored the consolation goal in the 89th minute.
As the inaugural winner of the PFL, Negros earned a spot in the qualifiers of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League.
Meanwhile, despite falling short in the final, Cebu is still poised to enter the AFC Cup.
Waiting in the wings for a possible AFC Cup shot is Manila, which was able to clinch third place over Makati on Friday.
If Negros moves on to the Champions League group stages, Manila will enter the AFC Cup qualifiers. (PNA)
