MANILA -- Fidel Tacardon and JR Suba will lead the way for the Teen Azkals' U19 squad as they play in the AFF (ASEAN Football Federation) U19 Men's Championship in Indonesia starting on Sunday.
Tacardon is the reigning UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines) Men's Football Tournament Rookie of the Year, helping University of the Philippines (UP) win the championship last season.
On the other hand, Suba led San Beda-Taytay to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) title last season at the expense of La Salle-Greenhills while also becoming stellar for his alma mater-bolstered Calabarzon team in the Palarong Pambansa, earning him Golden Boot honors.
Also called up for the team are incoming UAAP rookie Gio Pabualan, who led FEU-FERN to the UAAP juniors title, fellow Baby Tamaraws Jason Blanco, Pete Forrosuelo, Viejay Frigilliano, and John Paul Bengay, La Salle-Zobel's Jed Bode and Shanden Vergara, Sacred Heart Cebu's Leo Maquiling, San Beda-Taytay's Jessie Semblante, Martini Rey, Joshua Broce, and foreign-based players Quincy Kameraad and Adam Bambroffe.
"I'm optimistic about the team,” said Assistant Coach Roxy Dorlas, who along with Timo Orcullo will backstop Japanese gaffer Reiji Hirata at the sidelines.
“A lot of the players have not played internationally so they are eager to prove themselves. The atmosphere is good and the players look forward to training every day. There are no cliques in the team," added Dorlas, who starred for Meralco Manila before he ended his professional playing career with Global Cebu and is currently the U16 head coach as well.
Hirata also expressed optimism on the U19 Azkals' chances, saying, “These players have a lot of potential and are very creative.”
Being a part of Group A, the Teen Azkals will first battle Singapore on July 1 before taking on Vietnam two days later.
The Philippine side will then return to action on July 5 against Indonesia before locking horns against Singapore on July 7.
The Teen Azkals will face Laos in their final group stage assignment on July 9. (PNA)
