The Cebu Queen City United (CQCU) will be leaving today for Dumaguete to represent the Cebu Football Association (CFA) in the Visayas eliminations of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF)-Smart Club Championships slated tomorrow.
With the withdrawal of Iloilo Football Association (IFA) and the Negros Oriental Football Association (NOFA), the CQCU-CFA has a bigger chance of advancing to the round of 16 if it finishes in the top two positions.
CQCU will be facing just Negros Occidental FA-Ceres and Leyte FA.
“We have a big chance especially with our experience in the United Football League (UFL). However, we cannot discount the other teams,” said head coach Mario Ceniza.
He said the withdrawal of IFA and NOFA is a big advantage for the team because the two are also known as football powers.
Ceniza refused to accept the withdrawal as an assurance for his team to advance to the round of 16 because he said one can never tell until they play.
Ceres, he said, is being beefed up by Korean players while they have no information regarding the Leyte FA.
According to Ceniza, his team is also just relying on their practice games leading up to the regional eliminations because they have not played in any tournament.
Playing as the team’s goalkeepers are Charles Villarta and Benjamin Sanchez.
Defenders are Limhar Baunsit, Bryan Eborda, Marion Cubelo, Ryoji Inoue, Miguel Gonzales and Frederick Isic.
The team’s midfielders are Junard Aguilar, Jhonny Dalman, Rene Menchavez, Siegfred Apurado, Rommel Cuizon, Joseph Rodriguez, Samson Olaniyi, Albert Nangkil and Carlito Abadia while forwards are Dan Villarico, Ariel Cahilig and Jade Paghubasan.
Reserve players are Prime Agang (goalkeeper), Nicholas Villacin (defender) and Ben Rotich (forward).
Ceniza will be assisted in coaching by Allan Medalla.
CQCU earned the right to represent the CFA after winning the men’s open title of the Aboitiz Football Cup last year.