Ceres-La Salle rules UFL, gains entry to AFC Cup

MANILA, Philippines - After ruling the second division last season, Ceres-La Salle FC, continued its rise as an elite club by winning the United Football League’s top flight competition Saturday night at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The Bacolod-based side clobbered Team Socceroo, 6-0, to clinch the crown in the first tier with two games to spare, in the process earning the right to play as Phl entry in the group stage of the next AFC Cup.

“This is very sweet for us,” said Ceres coach Ali Go, whose wards previously reigned in the UFL’s second division and won the UFL FA League Cup in 2014 before moving up the ladder.

Needing only a draw to cop the coveted hardware, Ceres went all out for the kill and rained goals on Team Socceroo on a wet night with Nate Burkey firing a brace (45+1’ and 49’) and Orman Okuinaya (60’), Marwin Angeles (74’) and Jeff Christiaens (81’) joining the juggernaut. Interestingly, an own goal from Socceroo put Ceres on the board at the 42nd.

The victory hiked the Ceres booters’ tally to 40 points, giving them an unassailable 12-point lead over dethroned Global FC, Kaya and Loyola Meralco Sparks with still two games on their schedule (Manila Jeepney and Stallion FC).

“It’s an unbelievable team. When everyone works hard and makes sacrifices, good things happen,” said skipper Juani Guirado.

The triumph added to the accomplishment of the Busmen, who also own two national club championships before making their mark in the UFL.

Ceres had won 13, drew one and one loss in its first 15 assignments this season, maintaining a high-level while rivals faltered in the final push.

“It’s a good season for us. I think towards the end, the other clubs were going down while we got better. That’s the key to success for this club. It’s now how you start the season but how you finish. We started well this season and we finished it better,” said Go.

The team whopped it up after the final whistle and accepted the UFL Perpetual Trophy to loud cheers from flag-waving supporters that included Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella in the short award rites.

As UFL titlist, Ceres will be tasked with carrying the country’s banner in the next AFC Cup. The Bacolod side is aiming for redemption after failing to get past the playoffs of the said international club competition early this year.