BACOLOD CITY — The country’s top football club, Ceres-Negros FC, congratulated and vowed to continue supporting Mariano “Nonong” Araneta who has been reelected president of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) for a third consecutive term.
“Ceres-Negros FC pledges its continuing support to the PFF and president Nonong in the development of football in the country,” the Bacolod-based club said in a statement posted on its social media accounts over the weekend.
Ceres-Negros FC won double domestic titles this year, winning its third straight Philippines Football League crown, and also claiming the Copa Paulino Alcantara title.
Club owner Leo Rey Yanson has been a vocal supporter of Araneta, who defeated his brother Ricardo “Ricky” Yanson Jr., president of Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA), in what seemed to be a proxy war of the ongoing intra-corporate feud between the siblings, whose family owns the country’s largest bus group bannered by Vallacar Transit Inc., operator of Ceres Tours and Ceres Liner fleet.
On Friday, Araneta obtained 23 votes against Yanson’s 12 in the polls held during the 16th PFF Congress at Century Park Hotel in Manila.
Araneta, a member of the FIFA Executive Council, ran unopposed in 2011 and 2015.
In a statement, Araneta promised improvements and more support from private companies for Philippine football as he extended his hand in reconciliation to Yanson.
“Rest assured, we will do better and we will move on as one. I enjoin everyone to unite for the good of Philippine football. I am extending my hand to my opponent so we can bring football further,” he added.
Yanson conceded defeat to Araneta as he wished him well in his new term.
“I graciously acknowledge the victory of Mr. Mariano “Nonong” Araneta and sincerely wish him well,” he said in a statement posted on “Football Para Sa Lahat” Facebook page.
Yanson also said that he will continue to help Philippine football through the “Football Para Sa Lahat” advocacy.
“I will continue the programs we’ve begun in Negros Occidental and will wholeheartedly partner with PFF in endeavors just like NOFA has done in the past,” he added. (PNA)
