THE lone representative of the Land of Promise to the Philippine Football League (PFL), the Davao Aguilas will have a strong team when the league opens on April 22.
Davao Aguilas chief executive officer Chito Manuel said that tryouts for aspiring young professional footballers from Mindanao had already started at their home field, the Tagum Sports Stadium in Tagum, Davao del Norte.
Although he admits that everything is "rush-rush" now, Manuel said the team’s head coach Melchor Anzures and assistant coach Lalas Carreon are busy building up the team from scratch. They are also conducting tryouts today at the Agro pitch in Davao City.
Manuel said the Aguilas have the support of the Davao del Norte Regional FA and the Davao City FA.
Manuel also added that they will field in an All-Filipino team and vowed that they will get the best talents from Mindanao.
“Our all-Pinoy team will not allow us to become whipping boys in the league,” Manuel said.
It will be a tall order for the Davao Aguilas against the top clubs like Global, Stallions, Ceres, and Loyola Meralco, in the PFL.
With less than two months to go before kick-off, coach Anzures and the team management obviously face great challenges.
But life in Mindanao is always full of challenges. Let’s just enjoy the ride and welcome the entry of the Davao Aguilas to the PFL. Let us also hope that they will fly high and succeed.
(l.biantan@gmail.com)