Tuesday, March 25, 2008 RP XI training camp kicks off in Barotac
BOOTERS aiming to nail slots in the RP men's football squad that would see action in the forthcoming Asian Challenge Cup Group 2 qualifying event started getting in shape and putting their best foot forward when training camp kicked off last Sunday at the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) National Training Center in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo.
The training camp is being conducted under the watchful eyes of head coach Norman Fegidero Jr., who earlier said RP team hopefuls still have a lot to improve after they showed their wares during a friendly competition against a visiting Japanese side in Manila prior to the Holy Week break.
"I definitely didn't like what I saw on many of the players aspiring for slots in the team and I know a lot of things have to be done if we want to be better prepared for this competition," the former national team standout told Sun.Star Bacolod upon his arrival from Manila prior to the Lenten break.
Fegidero said he expects members of the national squad in previous events who want to be retained for the forthcoming series to be in Barotac for training camp, including Aly Borromeo, Emelio Caligdong, Ian Araneta, Peter Jaugan as well as Negrense keepers Edmundo Mercado Jr. and Edward Sacapaño.
Among the Bacolod-based standouts named to the training camp are University of St. La Salle's Archie Bayquin, Arnie Pasinabo, Floriano Pacilan and Michael Casas and West Negros University's Joel Ballo-allo, Robert Cañedo, Joven Bedic and Lemuel Unabia.
Ballo-allo, who was named 'best defender' during the 2006 PFF National Men's Open series in Iloilo topped by USLS, told Sun.Star Bacolod last Thursday he is grateful to Fegidero for giving him an opportunity to try out for the national side. "I hope to do my very best so that I can play for the country," the ex-WNU varsitarian said.
The Asian Challenge Cup Group 2 Qualifiers involving the national teams of Bhutan, Brunei, Tajikistan and Philippines is slated from May 11-18 in Barotac Nuevo and at the Iloilo Sports Complex.(Henry C. Villalva)
