THE lone undefeated team in its grouping in the 2019 AFC Cup, Ceres-Negros FC is out to stay unbeaten when it takes on Becamex Binh Duong of Vietnam in their final game in group play today at the Panaad Park and Football Stadium in Bacolod City.

Already assured of a spot in the next round of the ongoing tournament, Ceres (5-0-0), on top of Group G with 15 points, looks to stay in top form while dealing a huge blow to the bid of Becamex (3-1-1 and 10 points) advancing with a victory in their scheduled 8 p.m. match.

The “Busmen” are coming off a 5-0 shellacking of already-eliminated Shan United FC of Myanmar in Yangon on May 1.

Bievenido Maranon (38’, 43’ and 71’) had a hat trick to tow his team to the dominant win with Carli de Murga (80’) and substitute OJ Porteria (85’) adding a goal each.

Becamex, for its part, is off a win over Persija Jakarta of Indonesia, 3-1, also on May 1.

Nguyen Anh Duc (38’), To Van Vu (45+2’) and Wander Luiz (51’) provided the goals for Becamex in the victory.

Becamex is one of three teams still in the running to advance to the ASEAN Zonal semifinals of the tournament as the best runner-up.

The two are Hanoi FC in Group F and Kaya FC-Iloilo in Group H.

Hanoi has 10 points and is to play Group F leader Tampines Rovers of Singapore today while Kaya (eight points) was to play its final group game yesterday in an away match against Home United FC of Singapore. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

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