Sweet Victory for Ceres-Negros FC: 2013 National Club Champions

After a hard fought final against a tenacious Pasargad FC, Negros based Ceres La Salle FC clinched the PFF-SMART National Men's Club Championship  with a 1-0 victory. The victory of the club from Sugarlandia was made all the more sweeter given the caliber of opponents it had to dispatch on its way to bringing the cup to Negros island.

UFL Division 1 powerhouses Stallions, Global and Kaya were dispatched by Ceres enroute to the final against Pasargad. Credit should also go to Pasargad FC, who despite missing four key players in the finals still gave Ceres a really hard time. No excuses from Pasargad, who went out and gave Ceres a proper challenge for the title. Given its showing in this tournament, Pasargad is surely a team to watch out for in the UFL this season. 

In a news article, Ceres coach Ali Rojas Go was quoted as saying "You can win one with luck, but two, three, and four, I don’t think so. It’s all hard work.” That's right; it was very much hard work on the part of Ceres that led to their success, one that was richly deserved and unquestionable. Ceres-Negros FC right now is without doubt and certifiably thebest football club in the country.

Those were all difficult matches against highly accomplished teams. Their defense needed to be steady and sure, and the offense clinical. As Coach Ali Go said, they worked really hard at it, but most of all, they believed. They believed in themselves and in one another. That they almost swept up all the individual awards (Chieffy Caligdong won the Golden Boot) showed that this was indeed a team effort. Each player supporting each other in a common effort towards a common goal. 

Photo via Ceres-Negros FC FB page

In addition to the players and the coaching staff, the other key factor in the success of Ceres FC is the overwhelming support from its management, as personified by the Yanson brothers. The significance of the support of the Yanson brothers is something that must not be overlooked. The brothers not only support the team, they are also responsible in building foundations and institutional support for the growth and competitiveness of football in Negros. This competitive atmosphere developed by the Yanson brothers and their partners in this endeavor has been crucial in ensuring that a team from Negros can go head to head and overcome the big boys of Philippine club football, particularly the heavy hitters in the UFL.

Special mention also goes out to the Ceres supporters who were at Rizal. For a team based in the province, one had to appreciate the numbers and the spirit displayed by its support in Rizal Stadium. Advertisers, marketing people, sponsors, take note.

It is therefore heartening to note that Ceres FC is contemplating to join the UFL. In the same news article, Coach Ali Go mentions that there is a plan to join the UFL and the soonest could possibly be the UFL Cup in the latter part of this year. However, he cautions that they need to study this carefully as there are certain challenges that need to be considered, such as logistics. 

This prudence is a good sign. While the entry of Ceres FC into the UFL would be a big boost for the league and support its growth, all parties must also ensure that such growth is sustainable in the long term. In much the same way the Football Alliance has carefully nurtured the growth and steady success of the UFL, Ceres FC will likewise ensure that when it throws its hat into the UFL and carry the flag for Negrense football fans, it will be there for the long term.

In the meantime, let's savor and enjoy this achievement of Ceres FC. 

Ceres-Negros FC - 2013 National Men's Football Club Champions! Sounds sweet doesn't it?

05 February 2013, Moira G Gallaga©

Ceres FC Barges into Finals of 2nd PFF-Smart National Club Championship

What do you do when 3 giants are standing in your way? Get in a bus and just drive through them to get where you're going. That's what Negros based Ceres FC basically did on its way to the finals of the 2nd PFF-Smart Men's National Club Championship where they will face UFL Division 1 club Pasargad FC or PSG.

The 3 giants Ceres needed to get through to earn a finals slot are among the 3 top UFL Division 1 Clubs: current UFL Cup champions Stallion FC, current UFL champions Global FC and powerhouse Kaya FC. A feat that caused the Ceres FC squad's achievements to be dubbed as a "Cinderella" run to the finals. One reason perhaps this glorious run to the finals of the club is being described as such is the fact that Ceres FC is not a club that competes in either Divisions of the Metro Manila based United Football League, now considered the country's premiere football league. But is it really?

True, beating the top 3 UFL clubs enroute to the finals is no mean and easy feat. Then again, let's consider a few facts. Ceres FC is based in Negros Occidental, a hotbed of football in this country. Before the advent of the 2010 Azkals and the renaissance of football in the Philippines, Negros and Iloilo have kept faith all these years. The rivalry of these 2 provinces will attest to the fact on how seriously the sport is considered. One only has to look at how many accomplished football players come from these 2 provinces. It shouldn't be surprising then that a team from Negros should be able to field a strong and competitive squad.

One only needs to look at Stallions FC, considered to be the "Iloilo" team given the roots of the club. Its maiden run in UFL Division 1 showed it was a force to be reckoned with. A strong showing in the regular UFL season was followed up by winning the UFL Cup.

Ceres FC is no different. They may not be competing in the UFL, but they are based in a province where there is an environment that provides competitive football and a deep talent pool to recruit from. More than that, Ceres FC is run in much similar ways as the top clubs in the country today. It isn't just a team put together for the purpose of this tournament; it is a club with a vision,infrastructure and adequate management support.

Photo via watchmendaily.com

Credit for that goes to the Yanson brothers, Leo Rey and Ricky. Both former players and passionate fans of the sport of football. Like Dan Palami, they have tapped their personal fortune in the transport business (hence the bus metaphor in the opening paragraph) to grow and develop the sport of football in Negros. They are the driving force behind NFL, the Negros Football League and they even went as far as having football fields constructed. Players and coaching staff for the club and their NFL teams are well taken care of and supported. Lest it be forgotten, the U-23 squad of Ceres FC is also the defending champion of the PFF-Suzuki U-23 National Club Championship.

Considering all those factors, I don't think Ceres FC's giant-killing run to the finals is all that surprising. They have shown without doubt that they have what it takes to play with the big boys. They are a force to be reckoned with and they just made an emphatic statement to that effect, not only for the club but for Negros football.

It still remains to be seen if Ceres FC will join the UFL. As seen in the results of this tournament so far, they will be a good addition to the league. They have a talented and quite young squad, with a very capable coaching staff. More than that, it will give us Negrenses a team to root for in the UFL. Something the marketing people of UFL should consider. Of course, it will all depend on the Yanson brothers. In the same way they built up their club, I'm sure they will be taking deliberate and measured steps when considering this option. One thing for sure, when the time comes that Ceres FC does indeed join the UFL, they will be ready and raring to succeed. 

28 January 2013, Moira G Gallaga©

Another 90 Minutes More (Philippines v Singapore - 2012 Suzuki Cup Semis)

After a pretty good group stage performance against tough opponents, the Philippine Men's National Football Team a.k.a. The Azkals have once again made it to the semi-final round of the AFF Suzuki Cup, Southeast Asia's most prestigious football tournament. For the 3rd time this year the Azkals face Singapore, though this time in a competitive 2-legged fixture with a lot at stake - a place in the finals.

This semi-final first leg was also billed as the "home match that never was" in reference to the missed opportunity of our country to host our national team for the home leg of our semi-final fixtures against Indonesia in 2010. Well, our boys finally made it happen and created this opportunity to play in front of the supporters and the fans. Rizal was nearly packed and everyone at the stadium was eager to relish this opportunity to support our boys on this momentous occasion in Philippine football.

The match ended in a scoreless draw after a forgettable first half where the Philippines were clearly outplayed by Singapore and they couldn't get any semblance of an offense going. As it was in the group stages, our defense has been the most positive aspect of this Suzuki Cup campaign so far. There were a few nervy moments but over-all our defense held firm and as it was in the group stage, goalkeeper Ed Sacapano proved pretty steady between those goalposts. It was a much better performance by the Azkals in the second half, exhibiting improved cohesion and fluidity in their offensive game. It wasn't enough to get a goal and they had better step it up in the second leg if they wish to go further in this tournament. On a positive note, the Azkals managed another clean sheet, their third in this tournament. More importantly, this means that the Philippines had denied Singapore an away goal.

Of course, a win and a definite advantage heading into the second leg would have been the ideal result, considering the team was playing in front of its home fans. That would have been an ideal result and a good gift to the supporters considering how long Philippine fans and supporters have been waiting for a moment like this, given the significance of the fixture. Then again, Singapore is no push over. They have experience, are 3 time champions of this tournament and have been in this situation before. So if a win wasn't possible, a scoreless draw is the next desirable result.

This is the beauty of 2-legged home and away fixtures with the away goals rule in effect. It creates various scenarios and raises many factors, making for some very interesting matches. The result of the first match will most likely influence the tactics, strategy and approach to the second match and it's quite fascinating to see how coaches, players and teams deal with the situation.

At the end of the match both coaches seem pleased with the result. Singapore is looking forward to playing at home, confident that with the support of their fans they will be able to beat the Azkals and advance to the finals. While the Philippines may be playing on "hostile" ground in the second leg, we only need a scoring draw to advance due to the away goals rule, which Singapore failed to secure in the first leg. As things stand, the Philippines is still very much in it.

In this type of fixture, the 2nd leg at home is usually favored by a team which is why those who topped the group stage get to play the second leg at home. However, it could get difficult and a team could find itself under greater pressure if things don't go as planned. All it will take is an early goal for the Philippines and Singapore will suddenly find itself under pressure to score 2 goals to stay in the competition. As 3 times winners, Singapore has the added factor of dealing with the expectations of their supporters. Also, even if Singapore gets to score first, they cannot take it easy. An equalizer from our team and they are headed for the exit once more.

Singapore will need to go out for the win. This will enable the Philippines to be patient, to stay compact in defense and try to take advantage on the counter. Singapore will be obliged to push up and attack, and what I am starting to envision in my mind is that second goal in the Myanmar match by Angel Guirado. Score first and preferably score early and things should look good for the Philippines. Of course, in order to do this they need to play with more energy and precision than they did on Saturday night. Then again, I'm sure they know that by now.

Singapore will be relying on their experience (coach, players) in this competition, their quality, better cohesion and the support of the home crowd. It is a daunting challenge for the Azkals to face. Then again, the Azkals merely need a scoring draw to advance to the finals. They could use this to their advantage. Furthermore, the Azkals are a mere 90 minutes away from achieving another milestone not only in their respective careers, but for Philippine football as well. As Dan Palami so eloquently put it, "the Philippines intend to write its own history." The opportunity for both the veterans and young guns in our team to write themselves into the history books once more and build a legacy will be a strong source of motivation that should help them overcome the challenges they will face this coming Wednesday. 

This Suzuki Cup campaign has shown that the Philippines is a second half team. It takes a while for the Azkals to get going, to get their bearings and start stamping their mark in the match. In the friendly against Singapore in Cebu and in the 3 group stage matches, the Azkals scored all their goals in the second half. The quality of their play improves as the match progresses in the second half. A 2- legged fixture is basically a match of 2 halves and the second 90 minutes kicks off on Wednesday. So come on Philippines, let's go Azkals, you are 90 minutes away from achieving further glory - WE BELIEVE!

10 December 2012, Moira G Gallaga©