Ceres completes big year despite ownership troubles

Ceres-Negros went from a club that was on the brink of shutting down to lifting a third straight Philippines Football League (PFL) title and making another strong push for continental glory in the AFC Cup in less than a year.

“Not a lot of people outside the club knew about it, but we really thought football at Ceres was over last year,” captain Stephan Schrock said.

“It was a tough time last June. Players were leaving not because they wanted to, but because of the circumstances surrounding the team,” Schrock recounted on the CPT Crossover podcast on Tuesday where he was joined by former club teammate and fellow national team player Martin Steuble.The exodus of Ceres stars like Kevin Ingreso, Alvaro Silva and Steuble last year came at a time when the family of club owner Leo Rey Yanson was on the verge of a power struggle over the control of their transport empire.

The club is named after the flagship brand of the Yanson Group of Bus Companies headed by Yanson, whose four older siblings had tried to oust him from his position as president of the company last year.

Steuble, the former Ceres captain, said they were told to entertain offers from other clubs shortly after the Busmen lost to Vietnamese side Hanoi FC in the AFC Cup Asean zone semifinals.“I know we lost, but what do you mean it’s over?” Steuble recalled asking Schrock in Hanoi.“Football is finished here in Ceres,” Schrock replied.

“Coach Risto [Vidakovic] just told me there’s been an issue with the family of [Yanson].”While Schrock opted to stay together with stars like Bienve Marañon, Mike Ott and Super Herrera, Steuble said the uncertainty surrounding the club and the interest shown by Thai club Port FC made him decide to move to the Bangkok-based club.

“Players come and go, but our group always stuck together,” Steuble said. “Bienve had a lot of offers, but he stayed. But this was different because players were now asked to leave because the club could not guarantee anything. While I was at Ceres, I always blocked the agents because I was there and I knew I belonged there. Within four days, I was already at a different club.”

Steuble, 31, said his dream is to finish his career at Ceres.

“Ceres will always be my football home,” the Filipino-Swiss defender said. INQ