Ceres-Negros went through some testy moments before subduing Shan United FC of Myanmar, 3-2, to open its 2019 AFC Cup campaign on a bright note at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod.

OJ Porteria had a brace while Bienvenido Marañon added one goal for the Busmen, who allowed the visitors to slice into their lead twice in the second half.

OJ Porteria of Ceres Negros (second from right) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against Shan United in the 2019 AFC Cup on February 26, 2019 at the Panaad Stadium. AFC

Porteria opened up scoring in the 19th minute after gathering a lay-off from Omid Nazari and slotting home a left-footed shot to the lower right portion of the net. Marañon doubled the lead in the 37th minute off a penalty kick after he was fouled in the box by Shan keeper Phone Thitsar Min.

Zin Min Tun pulled one back for Shan United in the 50th minute with a left-footed one-touch strike from the center of the box off a cross from Hedipo Conceiçao.

Porteria then restored the Busmen's two-goal advantage in the 87th minute with a fine strike from right flank, and it appeared that the match was all but decided. But just a minute later Shan United cut the deficit to one goal after Dway Ko Ko Chit headed it past Roland Mueller after a poor clearance from Carli De Murga.

The visitors tried to get the equalizer in added time, but Ceres was able to hang on and even nearly restored their two-goal lead after Stephan Schrock's attempt from the left flank hit the side netting.

Ceres thus took the early lead in Group G with three points after Becamex Binh Duong of Vietnam and Persija Jakarta of Indonesia played to a goalless draw in the other group match. The Busmen's next match is on March 12, an away match against the Vietnamese side.