2 Azkals’ players to return to Cebu next month

PHILIPPINE Azkals’ members Emilio “Chieffy” Caligdong and Ian Araneta said they will return to Cebu this April to see action in the 2nd BRO National Football Festival.

Both expressed delight in having taken part in the recent 10th Thirsty Football Festival at the Cebu City Sports Center as part of ERCO A, which finished second in the Men’s Open category.

Caligdong said that they did not hesitate to accept the invitation of ERCO FC to beef up the team because they wanted to show their support for the development of football in Cebu.

The Philippine Azkals team captain said that this is a way for them to get an idea on how football in the Philippines is getting bigger.

“It’s good to be back here in Cebu. It is nice to see the passion that Cebu is showing for football,” Caligdong said.

Araneta, who said it is his first time to play in a festival here in Cebu, agreed and noted that the tournament had many cheerers.

“First time kong makakita ng festival na naglalaro hanggang gabi. Panibagong experience to sa career ko,” Araneta mused referring to games being played even after midnight.

ERCO FC owner Rodney Orale said that it is good for the Cebuano football community to have players such as Caligdong and Araneta playing in a local tournament.

Orale credited Philippine Under 22 coach Glen Ramos and Keith Buyco for the participation of top calibre football players in their team.

Caligdong and Araneta said that one major reason why they readily agreed to play in Cebu is because they wanted to look into the future of young players here.

According to both national team stalwarts, they heard that football here is growing and that there are lots of talents in Cebu.

Araneta added that they will continue to promote football and hopefully make it if not the No.1 sport in the country then at least at par with basketball.

“Yon lang naman ang gusto namin. Na ma-inspire at mailayo sa bisyo ang mga bata,” Araneta said.

He added that he hopes they will get more invites to play here while Caligdong said that he would invite the rest of his teammates to join them the next time they come here to play.

The Philippine team skipper advised young players that “wala yan sa spikes.” Instead, they should look into themselves and how they play the game on the pitch because that is what matters. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON