Busmen wrap up title early

Ceres-Negros Busmen. PFL PHOTO

Nearly untouchable all-season long, Ceres-Negros was made to sweat by a brave Green Archers side last Saturday night. But much like their campaign, the Busmen found a way to squeeze a victory just when their opponents thought they looked vulnerable.

An early goal by the Green Archers hardly dented the belief of coach Risto Vidakovic’s side, which went on to prevail, 3-1, and clinch a third straight Philippines Football League crown with two games to spare at Aboitiz Field in Lipa.

With some of their stars away on national team duty, the Busmen still had more than enough firepower to hold off the Green Archers with Bienve Marañon bagging a brace and Angelo Marasigan also finding the back of the net.

The win was Ceres’ 18th in 20 matches—the two other games ended in draws—this season, but Vidakovic said they’re targeting another milestone of finishing the season without a loss.

“It’s a nice feeling,” said Vidakovic. “The players started very early and with all the problems we had all season and everything, this title is the most important of all three [competitions].”

The Busmen were already in action as early as January when they played in the AFC Champions League and later, the AFC Cup, where they reached the Asean zone semifinals.

“I think the guys showed everyone that they are very professional,” said Vidakovic, who missed national team players Stephan Schrock, Mike Ott, Carlie De Murga and OJ Porteria.

“They worked very hard during the whole year. We’ve already been working hard for nine months. But these last three games, we have to compete until the end.”