LEYLAM FC has acquired some key players that will be a huge boost in their bid for a repeat in the Men’s Open division of the 18th Aboitiz Football Cup.
The big acquisitions of Leylam FC are Famous Ene, JR Castillon and Dan Villarico—who all played for rival Erco FC.
“They are blending with the team. They have more and more adapted to our system. They are contributing a lot,” Leylam FC team owner Ugur Tasci told Sun.Star Cebu.
Castillon and Ene showed a glimpse of what they can do for the team with their fast paced offense, impressive dribbling skills and lethal shooting ability that helped Leylam FC’s Team A win the recent Men’s Open division of the 1st Mr. Coffee Football Cup. Villarico, on the other hand, displayed his skill set in another seven-a-side tournament this month, wherein he scored the lone goal to steer Leylam FC to victory in the Men’s Open division of the 1st Don Bosco Rector Cup.
Ene, Castillon and Villarico are all key players of Erco-Bro FC, which Leylam FC beat for the Men’s Open title of last year’s Aboitiz Football Cup.
“It’s important to adapt to our system. Whoever they are they should adapt to our system. They are adapting fast and they are professional enough and know coach Bing’s (Oliver Colina) system,” said Tasci.
Ene, Castillon and Villarico could fill up the huge void that Men’s Open MVP Ismael Abdulmalik and Prince Arigbe left after their departure from the club.
The 24-year-old Ene, a midfielder, is a prolific scorer and ball-handler. He once led the UC Nigerians to win the Men’s Open title back in 2014.
Castillon, 21, is a speedy forward that has good dribbling skills. He once represented Erco Bro in the PFF Smart National Club Championships along with Ene and Villarico.
The 23-year-old Villarico, on the other hand, is a talented midfielder that was once a player for the Philippine Under-19 National squad.
“We are having our standard training. We never stopped. We practice in the field two times a week and have strength and conditioning once a week,” said Tasci.
With the new additions along with old members of the championship squad under the leadership of Oliver Colina, Leylam FC is expected to be contenders yet again this year.