CARMONA, CAVITE – Despite being labelled as a new squad, United City Football Club carries with it the tough task of continuing the three-year reign of its predecessor Ceres Negros as the 2020 Philippines Football League (PFL) brought to you by Qatar Airways kicks off on October 25 at the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) National Training Center. After the surprise sale of the team last July, 16 incumbent Busmen signed up with the new owners thus immediately installing them as the heavy favorite this season.
First and foremost for United City was to retain team captain Stephan Schrock who was then given the added task of assistant coach. His teammates followed one by one in OJ Porteria, Sean Patrick Kane, Ron Bayan, Jun Badelic, Angelo Marasigan, Robert Lopez Mendy, Arnie Pasinabo, Tristan Kit Robles, Dennis Villanueva, Joshua Dutosme, Takashi Odawara and Hikaru Minegeshi and capped by the grand announcement of the return of top goal-scorer Bienvenido Maranon and brothers Mike Ott and Manny Ott.
For their next move, the team filled the gaps with young players led by UAAP Juniors Most Valuable Player Pocholo Bugas of Far Eastern University, Jordan Jarvis of Ateneo de Manila University, Miggy Clarino of University of the Philippines and Jorrel Aristorenas who had a brief stint with Ceres in 2017, the first year of the PFL. The complete the roster, goalkeeper Anthony Pinthus was acquired on loan from the Azkals Development Team.
United City will be handled by Coach Frank Muescan who also handled Ceres back in 2016. The team’s original announced head coach Trevor Morgan incurred problems with his travel to the Philippines thus the decision to tap Coach Muescan.
Fellow newcomer Maharlika Manila will get first crack at United City in the featured opening day match starting at 8:00 PM. United City’s other fixtures are against Mendiola 1991 (October 28), Azkals Development Team (October 31), Stallion Laguna (November 3) and Kaya Iloilo (November 6).
The squad with the most points after five matches will automatically be declared the champion and be the Philippines’ representative to the 2021 AFC Champions League. The runner-up be sent to the 2021 AFC Cup and will also be given a chance to qualify for the ACL.
Ceres has carved a rich history in the said continental competitions. It’s time now for United City to start writing their own.
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