They made their first appearance in the AFC Champions League qualifying playoff winning over Burmese club Shan United and securing an upset victory against Australian side Brisbane Roar.

[4] They went on to face Australian club Brisbane Roar which was at that time had already played 17 games of the 2017-18 A-League season and was ranked 7th in the league table.

For about five minutes in the second half, Brisbane player Eric Bauteac had to be pulled off the pitch after his kit number peeled off.

[6] Ceres-Negros won 3–2 over Brisbane Roar a result which was considered as an upset leading to calls for the resignation of the Australian side's coach John Aloisi.

[9] Ceres-Negros ended their campaign after they conceded two goals in their match against Tianjin Quanjian though their efforts were praised by PFF President Mariano Araneta.