Bracing for a tougher title defense, reigning Philippine Football League champion Ceres-Negros shored up its squad by signing Senegalese striker Robert Lopez Mendy and a couple of former collegiate standouts from University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City.
The Busmen also secured the commitment of star striker Bienvenido Marañon for the remainder of the campaign as the Bacolod-based squad guns for a third straight league title.
“There’s a big chance to win a third straight PFL, title so that is my goal,” said Marañon.
Hit by departures of key players in recent weeks, the Busmen were hard pressed to fill up their side that is currently on top of the PFL with 22 points from eight matches.
Curt Dizon was the latest player to leave Ceres, signing for Thai Premier League side Chonburi recently.
Ceres also saw Alvaro Silva, Martin Steuble and Kevin Ingreso sign for Thai clubs in recent weeks.
Star midfielder Stephan Schrock admitted having gotten offers from foreign clubs during the transfer window, but also opted to stay just like Marañon, the leading scorer in the PFL.
Ceres released Bosnian striker Maher Karic to make way for Mendy, who is no stranger to Philippine football, having played for Kaya Iloilo last season and Green Archers United before.
Mendy, 32, scored a total of 43 goals in all competitions for Kaya in three seasons, before transferring to UITM in Malaysia early this year.
Incidentally, Mendy might make his debut for the Busmen against his former club, Kaya, on Aug. 3.
Former USLS stars Charles Barberan, who can play striker and on the wing, was also added to the Ceres squad along with Tristan Robles, a central midfielder.
The club still has one Asian player spot and sources said the Busmen are looking to add another central midfielder just before the transfer window closes.