Cinderella team Ceres Fc hopes to continue surprising run in PFF national club tilt

By Karl Decana

When he heard that three players from Britain will try out for his team, coach Freddie Lazarito of Negros Occidental-based football club Ceres FC was more than pleased with the news. After all, the squad was very much in need of more skilled players for their campaign in the Philippine Football Federation-SMART National Club Championships this month.



But after a number of training sessions, Lazarito thought he made a wrong decision to accept the new imports.


“(Kung) ‘di lang talaga matangkad, parang gusto kong pauwiin e,” Lazarito said, adding that the three British players are not even used to wearing cleats after getting blisters in their practices. “Kaya lang, sabi ko, ‘nandito na yan, nagastos na tayo ng malaki, (i-retain) na lang natin.”


Weeks after, Lazarito’s gamble paid off. Last Saturday, striker Peter Long, one of his British imports, scored a goal in the 12th minute to help Ceres stun United Football League powerhouse Global FC in the quarterfinals of the tournament.

“Parang magic kaya parang nagulat kami e,” Lazarito said.

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