BY NIDA BUENAFE
Football takes centerstage once again at the Panaad Park and Stadium starting tomorrow when the Negros Occidental FA battles three other Group A regional finalists for the final slot in the PFF-Suzuki Men�s U23 National Championship.
The Negrenses, known in the football circuit as a formidable squad to get entangle with, will scramble for one of the two final seats allocated for Group A.
To advance to the national championship, the Negros team will have to get past the No. 2 team from the National Capital Region, Mindanao regional finalist Zamboanga del Norte-Dipolog, and Luzon regional titlist Masbate.
While Panaad Stadium hosts the Group A games, the final round in Group B will be played in Laguna.
Lumped together in Group B are Visayas No. 2 team Iloilo FA, the No. 1 from NCR, Mindanao top finisher Davao squad, and Luzon�s No. 2 team Laguna.
The Negros team is composed of John Robert Mendoza, Lemuel Unabia, Carmelo Tacusalme, Janrick Soriano, Jose Emmanuel Diel, Jimmy Malaloan, Jake Morallo, Anthony Tongson, J Baguioro, Ralph Layumas, Joshua Beloya, Joven Bedic, Abelardo Solinas, Gino Palomo, Willy Mangubat, Jurex Replentes, Aldrin Dolino and Michael Pacite.
Head coach is former national team member and mentor Norman Fegidero, who will be assisted by coaches Janeo, Ronnie Tornilla, Simon Hulleza, Ali Go, Carlo Torbela and Michael Casas.
Meanwhile, NOFA is calling on all football fanatics in Negros to come out and support the Negros team in this final round of U23 Group A eliminations.
Top two teams in both Groups will advance to the semifinals. Championship games will be played in a home-and-away format.
The PFF has announced that members of the top two teams that will advance in the national finals will be considered in the selection of players for the training pool of the Philippine Team �Azkals�.
Members of the PFF U23 squad will represent the country in the 2011 Southeast Asian Games set in Indonesia later this year.*NAB
Visayan Daily Star
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