New owner for Ceres-Negros Football Club

The Ceres-Negros Football Club (FC), the most decorated team in the country, is expected to be sold and could suit up in a different name when the Philippine Football League (PFL) returns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Busmen management are negotiating with new investors whose identity has yet to be revealed until the deal is sealed.

“Ceres-Negros Football Club is currently in talks with investors who will be taking over the management and ownership of the club in preparation of the fourth season of the PFL as well as the resumption of the campaign in the Asian Football Confederation Cup,” the team management said in a statement.

“As soon as the takeover is completed, the club will no longer be known as Ceres-Negros since our current chairman, Leo Rey Yanson, will not be involved in any way in the affairs of the club,” the statement added.

The club informed the federation of ongoing negotiation.

The Busmen has three titles in the PFL as well as the Copa Paulino Alcantara trophy last year.

Ceres made three AFC Champions League appearances, reaching the semifinals of the AFC Cup last year but got quashed by Hanoi FC.

The quarantine severely affected Ceres, one of the major bus companies in the country that plies almost the entire archipelago.

“Through Ceres-Negros FC, Mr. Yanson was able to share his love for the game to his countrymen. While the pandemic has struck hard on businesses all over the world, Ceres has made its best efforts to compensate its players and staff,” the statement read.

Ceres star James Younghusband already retired, while Josh Grommen and Jeffrey Christiaens earlier left the Busmen.