By Mymy Alagaban

With Ceres-Negros FC moving their home games to the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila while the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City’s Barangay Mansilingan undergoes renovations, midfielder Stephan Schröck recently expressed longing for the club’s true home turf.
“We miss Panaad but it’s also nice to play at Rizal,” he said. “We’re also getting a really good turnout and a nice atmosphere in Rizal.”
Their last two home matches at the venue in Manila have attracted nearly 8,000 spectators.
Aside from the Negros Occidental Provincial Board recently approving a P181,235,000 supplemental budget for the said renovation project, Ceres FC chairman Leo Rey Yanson is also funding the installation of seats along the grandstand and bleachers area in order to comply with AFC standards.
In addition, the confederation also requires improved locker rooms and better lighting for the stadium.
According to Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who said a total P250 million will be needed for repairs, the project is being undertaken ahead of the upcoming Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association Meet and Palarong Pambansa, which Negros Occidental will host in 2021.
Meanwhile, the Negrense club continues their 2020 AFC Cup campaign next week when they face Than Quang Ninh, who finished third in Vietnam’s V.League 1 last year, on Tuesday, February 25, in Manila./WDJ