THE Central Visayas Football Association (CVFA) U-19 team will be competing in a series of friendlies in preparation for its campaign in the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) U-19 National Championship 2022 Second Division.
The CVFA squad is scheduled to play against Negros Occidental Football Association U-19 team on May 29 in San Carlos City. The squad will travel to Bacolod City and face Negros United the next day.
On May 31, CVFA takes on Dolphins FC and then finally against CVFA’s U-17 team.
“The team is doing okay. So far their level of fitness has improved. The coaches have done a good job. The players and their parents have been very cooperative,” CVFA president Rodney Orale told SunStar Cebu.
“We are also thankful that the parents, principals and advisers of the players from Bohol allowed them to stay here and train with the team. We are also focused right now on our hosting of the PFF tournament on June 18 to 22.”
CVFA is in Group E of the PFF U-19 National Championship Second Division along with Kaya FC-Iloilo, Negros Oriental-Siquijor Regional Football Association (NOSIRFA) and Eastern Visayas Regional Football Association. The matches will be played at the Cebu City Sports Center.
The top finisher of Group E advances to Group B of the National Group Stage along with the top teams in Group F, Group G and Group H. The teams will play a single round-robin in the National Group Stage, wherein the top team will become the champion of Visayas-Mindanao group and will be promoted to the First Division.
“I believe we can win it,” said Team Manager Jhojo Partosa. “However, it’s very hard because only one team advances to the next round. We have to look out for Kaya FC and NOSIRFA.”
The CVFA is currently handled by Partosa, head coach Glen Ramos, assistant coach Jinggoy Roa, goalkeeper coach Garry Garciano, assistant goalkeeper coach Jojo Tapia, physical therapist Nico Quiñones and team coordinator Chad Songalia.
The squad is comprised of Ezralph Legara, Jonathan Pacaldo, Mark Mayor, Eugene Tillor, Uriel Villacarlos, Simon Del Campo, Nathan Lingatong, John Vincent Largado, Edgar Paredes, Zraim Ebrada, Christian Carizon, Bebong Lamparas, Matthew Suico, Carsten Pumareja, Ludwig Badayos, Richard Songalia, Joseph Garces, Gianrenzo Custado, Kyrell Bangot, Stephen Soria, Frances Vercide, Paul Mapula, Mark Lester Zafra, Yoji Selman and Keenan Cergneux.