By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr.

Ceres-Negros FC leaves for Tajikistan today for their 2017 AFC Cup Inter-zone play-off semi-final against FC Istklol of Tajikistan, with the first leg scheduled for Tuesday, August 22, at the Hisor Central Stadium.
The Negrense club has been heaped with praises, following their ASEAN Zonal final win over Home United of Singapore.
In a letter from Ilocos United FC CEO Anthony Joseph Lazaro to Ceres FC chairman Leo Rey Yanson, he wrote: “[Ceres-Negros FC] has really done the nation, the sport, the PFL (Philippines Football League) and the founding teams of the PFL a great service.”
He went on to say, “Philippine football is surely now on the football map, thanks to your club.”
Recent PFL opponents FC Meralco Manila and Kaya FC-Makati also wished Ceres luck.
“Thank you for being an outstanding representative for the Philippine club football,” Kaya FC said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Ceres announced two new signings, Joshua Dutosme and Nessi Ramos, who played on the Ceres-University of St. La Salle varsity squad./WDJ