The ERCO Football Club is launching a serious campaign in the 10th Thirsty Football Festival as Philippine Azkals team captain Emilio “Chieffy” Caligdong has been tabbed to play for its Men’s Open team.
ERCO FC will be fielding a total of 10 teams, four in the Men’s Open, three in the Ladies Open, two in the 36-Above and one in the 42-Above.
Team owner Rodney Orale said that Caligdong will be arriving early Sunday morning and will be playing either under BRO National ERCO or ERCO A.
According to Orale, Ian Araneta, another member of the Philippine Azkals, also wanted to see action in the Thirsty event but had to change his mind due to a family emergency.
Aside from Caligdong, three members of the Philippine Air Force Phoenix of the United Football League will also be beefing up ERCO FC teams. They are Sgt. Jezurel Tonog, Sgt. Erwin Oro and goalkeeping coach Sgt. Jumie Tolosa.
Games in the tournament start today at the Cebu City Sports Center.
Last year, ERCO FC clinched the 36-Above and 42-Above titles.
The club will begin its title retention bid in the 42-Above, which will be played tonight along with Girls and Boys 19 and the Girls 14 categories.
In the 42-Above, ERCO FC is bracketed in Group 1 with Queen City A, Hiroshi A and Sunday Club.
Abellana National School (ANS) and the University of San Carlos (USC) will also be vying to retain their titles in the Boys 19 and Girls 19, respectively.
ANS will join Rambo FC, LLCI La Salle FC and Moalboal FC in Group 2. The division have four groups with the top two teams advancing to quarterfinals.
USC, which will be gunning for its third title in the category, will have two teams—Green and White. The division will follow a league-type format and will also have San Roque Football Club (SRFC), Primum FC and Silliman University.
The Girls 14 title will be anybody’s game as defending champions Subangdaku Football Club (SFC) have not fielded a team in the category.
Seeing action in the category are Phoenix FC, St. Theresa’s College, Ateneo de Davao, Harvest FC, CIS Dragons, Tabor Hill FC, SRFC, Benthel FC, Ateneo de Cebu, Reunited FC, San Carlos City and CIE Cebu.