WITH four scheduled games left in the first round, Ceres Negros FC is invading Ilocos United FC’s territory in Vigan, Ilocos Sur for a pair of away matches in the ongoing 2017 Philippines Football League (PFL).
The Busmen will be tested at the President Elpidio Quirino Stadium on November 18 and 21, both at 7 p.m.
Though the Busmen technically are already in the semi-finals, the results of their remaining matches might still affect their positions in the standing.
Though having a clear edge against the Northern Luzon-based squad in their past encounter, the injuries and absence of several Busmen due to national duty could change the game.
Ceres FC coach Risto Vidakovic reiterated that it’s not easy to motivate the players in the remaining games because there’s nothing that they look up to when they get to the top of the league.
He said that if the first place earned something special, then the league will make it more interesting.
“We should compete until the end and that we can’t simply sit down,” he added.
Ilocos United coach Ian Gillan said that his team has experienced playing the best team in the PFL.
“Let’s be honest, Ceres is by far the best team in the competition, in my opinion. They are one of the strongest teams in the Southeast Asia. They have quality players and play good football. We are not that fortunate to have such talents,” he said.
Despite their pair of defeats to the Busmen, Gillan recalled that the last time both teams faced each other, they conceded more goals.
While he’s unhappy with the 5-0 loss, the scoreline shows little improvement for them.
“It only shows that our club is on the right track. We need better and quality players if we want to be on the top end of PFL,” he added.
At press time, the Busmen sits at No. 2 with 52 points on 16 wins with four draws and four defeats in 24 games while league leader FC Meralco Manila Sparks has 54 points with 16 wins, six draws and four losses in 26 points.
