United City draws near to keeping AFC Cup lineup after re-signing Bienve Marañon

Bienve Maranon is staying with United City.

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—United City is now close to keeping its AFC Cup roster for the upcoming PFL season after re-signing striker Bienve Marañon on Sunday.

The Spanish-born Marañon has been the club's spark plug offensively since 2015, when it was still known as Ceres Negros.

Marañon is the AFC Cup's all-time leading scorer, striking 35 goals in total as of the moment. He leads this year's tournament in goals with five.

Last season, he drilled in 30 goals for United City, still using the Ceres Negros name, in the PFL, leading the club to the domestic double, that is, the league title and the Copa Paulino Alcantara championship.

Recently, Senator Migz Zubiri filed a bill putting Marañon and teammate Robert Mendy up for naturalization, which could make them eligible to suit up for the Azkals.

Like Marañon, Mendy was also re-signed by United City, keeping the club's offensive firepower intact.

Over the weekend, United City also announced the signing of Pika Minegishi, Tadashi Odawara, Joshua Dutosme, Dennis Villanueva, Tristan Robles, Dodz Pasinabo, Angelo Marasigan, Jun Badelic, Ron Bayan, Sean Kane, and OJ Porteria.

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