The first leg of the final round between defending champion Ceres – La Salle FC and Global FC in the PFF Smart National Club Championship 3 rd Edition unfolds today, 2:30 p.m., at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City. The second leg will be played on Saturday, same time.

Ceres assistant coach Ramon Janeo said it will be a close contest between the top two teams of the tournament as both squads are determined the capture the crown.

While the defending champions have the home ground advantage against the visiting Global FC, Janeo said their team has undergone some changes since they won the title in the second edition of the tournament.

With the new rules imposed by the organizers, Janeo said some of their foreign players were not able to suit up for the third edition.

Unlike in the previous tournament were teams are allowed to have unlimited number of foreign players in the lineup, provided they field only five at the same time, the new rules limit foreign players to five with three to play at the same time, Janeo explained.

He added that the Azkals-laden Global FC is not bothered by this ruling as most of its players are Filipino-foreigners.

Still, Janeo said the Ceres boys are ready for the challenge and will prove to be a good match-up for the more experienced Global FC.

He said the twin victories in the semifinals against Baguio-Benguet primed the team for championship. Ceres beat BBFA 5-1 in the first leg of the semis and 11-0 in the second leg.

Global FC also had the same rousing win in the semifinals against Flame Unt Cherifer FC (Cavite) with a 4-0 win in the first leg and 5-0 in the second leg.

The Ceres team is composed of Camelo Tacusalme, Hanesin Prince Anthony, J Baguiro, Joshua Beloya, Anthony Tongson, Hyung Min Sim, Jayson Panhay, Lemuel Unabia, Louie Michael Casas, Jimuel Ariola, Jalsor Soriano, Jayson Cordova, Byeong Jun Yoon, Okunaiya Olaadipo, Rolando Ian Treyes, Jaime Poderoso Jr. and Joel Bedia Jr.

Suiting up for Global FC are Ben Starosta, Rufo Sanchez, Misagh Bahadoran, Angel Guirado, Mark Hartmann, twins Marwin and Marvin Angeles, Jeffrey Christiaens, Jerry Barbaso Jason De Jong, Roland Sadia, Ange Guisso, Izzeldin Elhabib, Aaron Altiche, and Papiniano Macayan III.*NAB

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