After loss to Tokyo, rising Ceres looking to impress in AFC Cup

Ceres-Negros hopes its return as the top Southeast Asian club in the latest Asian Football Confederation rankings will lure more support for Filipino clubs seeing action in the AFC Cup and the Philippines Football League (PFL).

The Busmen reclaimed the top spot ahead of Thai giants Buriram United after reaching the playoff in the AFC Champions League, where they lost to FC Tokyo, 2-0, in the Japanese capital on Tuesday.

The defeat relegated the Busmen to the AFC Cup for the fifth straight year, but their impressive qualifying run was enough to earn them 5.5 ranking points for a total of 40.75, overtaking Buriram, which has 40.63.

Ceres slipped past Shan United of Myanmar, 3-2, in the first phase, before pulling off a 1-0 win over Thai powerhouse Port FC in the only upset of the second phase of qualifying.

“The [top] ranking is really a reward for the hard work and sacrifices of the players and coaching staff,” said Ceres-Negros owner Leo Rey Yanson.

“Our last three matches—even against FC Tokyo—showed that the level of the Philippines is improving. But Ceres would not have reached this position if not for the clubs in the PFL, the Philippine Football Federation and the people who have made sure that the league continues to run so we share this honor with all of them.”

The Busmen, however, will need to reinforce their ranking with a strong performance in the AFC Cup.

Ceres has been bunched with Indonesian champions Bali United, Than Quang Ninh of Vietnam and Cambodia’s Svay Rieng in Group G of the Asean zone.