Debuting United City FC targets first PFL title

Even if they are sporting a new team name, the United City FC players hope to sustain the winning legacy they have created in the Philippines Football League (PFL). 

Captain Stephan Schrock says the team formerly known as Ceres-Negros FC – the lone PFL champion across all 3 seasons – is hungry for its first title after the name change.

“I think my team is pretty good and well prepared. Not surprisingly, my teammates are very, very eager to win another title,” said the Azkals star. 

A total of 16 members led by Schrock and AFC Cup record goalscorer Bienve Marañon are back to carry the colors of the renamed squad, which opens its campaign on Sunday, October 25, 8:30 pm against newcomer Maharlika Manila. 

Though the core of Southeast Asia’s top football club is still intact, Schrock acknowledged that “the targets are on their backs” as Stallion-Laguna and Kaya-Iloilo continue to be top contenders for the title. 

But the United City FC skipper will not let the pressure get in the way of their goal. 

“Generally, I have blinkers left and right. I just focus on the trophy, on my team, on my preparations and we will [aim to] advance and win the league as in the last 3 years,” he stressed.

The United City FC squad entered the PFL bubble on Thursday, October 22, and the players and staff are being housed at Seda Nuvali in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

“[We’re] all happy, healthy and fit. It was hard for them to be mentally fresh but the boys did not lose their motivation and discipline during the (COVID-19) lockdown,” said Schrock of his teammates.

Schrock kept himself in shape during his six-month stay in Germany. He even applied to be a guest player in a 5th division squad to ramp up his fitness level for any opportunity to play football for the Philippines again. 

As Ceres-Negros FC, the Busmen ruled the PFL thrice in a row, then capped 2019 with a golden double by capturing the league championship as well as the Copa Paulino Alcantara Cup.

But former club owner and Ceres Liner chairman Leo Rey Yanson decided to sell the team to MMC Sportz Asia, which leads a group of private investors, in order to keep the country’s top football club together. – Rappler.com