AS FORMER Beatle, the late George Harrison once said, “All things must pass.”
And so it came pass that perhaps the most successful – both locally and internationally – multi-titled champion football club in the country will finally hung up its boots.
What brings a certain sadness and irony to this is the fact that Ceres-Negros FC will close shop at the top of their game. They are currently the Philippine Football League or PFL and Copa Paulino Alcantara defending champion.
A couple of weeks back talks were floating that PFL champion powerhouse Ceres-Negros FC were seriously considering backing out from the 2020 Philippine Football League and disbanding the team and it remained just that – talks – until this came out in the news (excerpts from the June 30, 2020 issue of Panay News):
No formal withdrawal yet from Ceres-Negros – PFL
Three-time League champions Ceres-Negros FC has not yet formally withdrawn from the 2020 Philippines Football League (PFL), which will tentatively start next month.
PFL commissioner Coco Torre told Panay News over the weekend that the Negros Occidental-based football club has not yet submitted a letter indicating its formal withdrawal from the tournament.
“The PFL cannot issue a comment yet [on Ceres-Negros’ withdrawal] since the team has not yet submitted a formal letter of withdrawal,” Torre said.
Filipino football fans were stunned after reports swirled around that Ceres-Negros is disbanding its powerhouse roster.
What this news did was to confirm that indeed it was not rumors but something was brewing that will eventually spell the fate of the football club and what happened a week after confirmed the inevitable to the Filipino football community.
Excerpts from the July 9, 2020 issue of Panay News:
Ceres-Negros FC in talks for new owner
Ceres-Negros FC is currently in talks with some investors who will take over the team ahead of their title defense in the Philippines Football League and the resumption of their 2020 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup campaign.
In a statement released yesterday, the Busmen said that once the change of ownership is completed, it will be rebranding the squad as Busmen chairman Leo Rey Yanson will not be involved in any capacity.
“This is one of the toughest decisions made by Mr. Yanson, whose passion for football was reflected at the way he poured his personal resources and steered the club to unprecedented heights since it was formed eight years ago,” the statement read.
“Through Ceres-Negros FC, Mr. Yanson was able to share his love for the game to his countrymen. While the pandemic has struck hard on businesses all over the world, Ceres has made its best efforts to compensate its players and staff,” it added.
Indeed Ceres-Negros FC will hang up its boots which is a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic that has struck hard on businesses worldwide considering the mother company of the football club which is engaged basically in public transportation was brought to a standstill due to the quarantine.
But wait, football fans. There’s some hope and consolation as although the brand Ceres-Negros FC will no longer be there, the team i.e. the football players and coaching staff are intact and as soon as the change of sponsors and ownership are officially completed it will be business as usual for the team albeit a new name and brand.
And this glimmer of hope was confirmed by this latest news, excerpts from the July 10, 2020 issue of Panay News:
PFF: Ceres-Negros retains AFC Cup spot despite ownership change
Ceres-Negros FC will keep its spot in the halted 2020 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup despite the impending change of ownership and management.
According to Philippine Football Federation (PFF) general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes, selling the football club will not affect its status in the international club competition.
“The AFC Cup slot belongs to the club,” said Gastanes during the Wednesday PFF virtual press conference. “The PFF is to make the appropriate presentation before the AFC.”
Ceres-Negros is currently leading Group G of the AFC Cup with seven points built on two wins and a draw.
The current Ceres-Negros FC team is probably the best and the strongest in the country right now (with apologies to Kaya- Iloilo FC) the rooster of the Azkals our men’s national football team is composed of about 60% from Ceres-Negros FC the rest from our overseas based footballers and only one from Kaya-Iloilo FC.
I’ll just name two players from Ceres-Negros FC to show you what I mean; Bienvenido Marañón currently the Asian Football Confederation or AFC top scorer who is about to make his debut playing for the Azkals as his citizenship credentials have been sorted out and the current Mr. Football Stephan Schröck I believe I don’t need to say anything about him as anyone who’s into football knows what “Mr. Football” brings to the table.
It’s really sad that the top football team in the country leaves the pitch not because it lost the match but because of an unseen virus./PN
