Ceres next goal: Alcantara cup

BACOLOD CITY—After running away with a second straight league crown in the Philippines Football League, Ceres Negros is seeking to pull off a double when the Copa Paulino Alcantara gets going in September.

The Busmen completed their dominance of the league with a 4-1 drubbing of Stallion Laguna at Panaad Stadium.

Bienve Marañon bagged a brace, while Martin Steuble and Blake Powell were also on the scoresheet for the Busmen, whose coach Risto Vidakovic watched the match anew from the grandstand after serving a suspension.

The PFL title assured Ceres of a berth in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League playoff round next year.

If they miss out on Champions League group stage, it’s back to the AFC Cup for the Busmen, who claimed the Asean zonal title last year only to be dethroned by Home United of Singapore early this month.