PRE-MATCH PRESSCON. Ceres Negros head coach Risto Vidakovic (2nd from left) and Stallion Laguna mentor Ernest Nierras (2nd from right) with their respective players Joshua Dutosme (left) and Ruben Doctora during the pre-match press conference at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City on Tuesday afternoon (June 26, 2018). (Photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver)
BACOLOD CITY -- Ceres Negros will face Stallion Laguna in the Philippines Football League (PFL) back-to-back matches this Wednesday and Sunday at the Panaad Stadium here.
Currently number four in the standings, Stallion will try to subdue the reigning champion after Ceres lost to JPV Marikina, 0-2, at home last Saturday.
“Just like any other team, we’re here to try to win our match. There’s no team in the PFL that is unbeatable,” said Stallion head coach Ernest Nierras in the pre-match press conference Tuesday afternoon.
“Right now, we’re technically in fourth place. The PFL still owes us three points. We’re in a pretty good position, but we have to be realistic. Our objective is just to continue to win,” he added.
In their match on May 26, Ceres beat Stallion, 3-2 and on May 30, the Busmen again defeated Laguna, 6-2.
Striker Ruben Doctora, who hails from Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, said that knowing Ceres as a strong team, they will do their best to win a match against the hosts.
“Even if some of their players are injured, you can see that they have quality backers. We will try to win the game, we will fight until the final whistle,” he said.
Ceres Negros head coach Risto Vidakovic said that after Monday’s recovery training, he sees the players ready for Wednesday’s match even with some key players still recovering from injuries.
“This time, we have more rest. Now, I think the players are more prepared and hopefully, we will not make the same mistakes,” he added.
Defender Joshua Dutosme was also looking forward for Ceres to bounce back from the loss in their last match.
“I need to do my job, work hard to help the team, bounce back and get the three points again,” he said. (PNA)
