New group of owners to keep popular Ceres core for PFL, AFC

The new management and ownership group that will take over the operations of powerhouse Filipino football club Ceres-Negros FC is making progress in its bid to keep the core of the squad for the Philippines Football League (PFL).

A source privy to the negotiations said the new investors are close to finalizing the memorandum of understanding with Ceres-Negros owner Leo Rey Yanson for the transfer of ownership and management of the multititled club from Bacolod.

Obviously, as soon as the agreement is signed, the new owners of the team will have to change the name of the club.

Yanson let go of the club last month, citing personal reasons primarily due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pande­mic on the Yanson Group of Bus Companies, which he heads.

“The parties involved are making a lot of progress,” said the source, who declined to divulge the identity of the new owners as negotiations are still ongoing. “The assurance is that the new investors will definitely field the club in the PFL and the AFC Cup should these tournaments push through.”

Ceres general manager Ace Bright, who is handling the transition from the previous management to the new owners, hinted at exciting times ahead.

“We will be announcing something exciting very soon and I’m sure the fans will love it,” Bright said in a statement. “Some things may change, but people are also going to fall in love with the club as much as they did with Ceres FC.”

Negotiations with players who were part of the Ceres squad are also gaining ground.

Since Ceres terminated contracts of its players and staff last month, the new ownership group has the tough task of keeping the squad intact for the PFL and the AFC Cup.

“So far, the discussions with the players have been very positive,” the source said.

The PFL is preparing the PFF National Training Center as the venue for training and actual matches. INQ