by Jonas Terrado
Ceres Negros erased a two-goal deficit in stunning fashion to beat Persija Jakarta, 3-2, in the AFC Cup before 35,000 fans at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.
Mike Ott's winner in stoppage time sealed the dramatic comeback for the Busmen, who looked dead in the water after host Persija took a 2-0 lead after the break through Sandy Sute and Bruno Matos.
Miguel Tanton scored off a free kick in the 70th to put Ceres on the board before Spanish striker Bienvenido Maranon leveled the count with a glancing header off a cross in the 86th.
Ott delivered the go-ahead goal with a volley off Stephan Schrock’s cross to give Ceres the full three points while solidifying its grip on top spot in Group G.
The Busmen improved to 12 points after four matches, five clear of second-running Becamex Binh Duong of Vietnam.
Ceres needs just one victory to win the group and advance to the ASEAN Zonal semifinals for the third straight year.