MANILA -- OJ Porteria scored a brace to lead Ceres Negros to a 2-0 win against Stallion Laguna in the front end of a two-game series at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday night.
Porteria opened the scoring for the host squad after drilling in a 34th minute penalty following a Darwin Regala foul on Mike Ott inside the box.
Laguna, however, remained resilient and even had some bright moments from keeper Bitoy Rosalia and striker Abou Sy.
However, as Toni Doblas kept Laguna from scoring, Porteria added the dagger goal for Negros in the 84th minute by sneaking into the backline for the close-range shot.
The win assured that Negros will maintain a nine-point lead over Iloilo, which won earlier Wednesday against Marikina in Iloilo City, for first place in the league table.
Despite the loss, Laguna stays in fourth place with 18 points. (PNA)
