RP booters train in Davao

By Marianne L. Saberon-Abalayan

THE Philippine men's football team opened its 10-day training camp in Davao City and will start off with friendly games and clinics on the side as the members prepare for the AFF Suzuki Cup Qualifiers set in Vientiane, Laos on Oct. 22 to 27.

The national team will play the Seagull-Porky's Best Lechon at 4 p.m. today at the Tionko football grounds, then battles Hooligans FC on Sunday. The team's next match will be opposite multi-titled Medvil FC on Sept. 23.

Medvil's prized goalkeeper Dominador Tato IV, an Emar student, will reinforce the national team during the friendly games.

British coach Simon Alexander McMenemy, gracing the regular Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at the Tower Inn yesterday, said they are here to sharpen the skills of the players and at the same time let them enjoy football.
"For the past three weeks now, I've assessed our players and the coaching staff. We are doing great with our preparations. Holding camps in other cities like beautiful Davao helps us in creating a team environment and improve the team spirit," McMenemy said.

He said it is important for him that the players enjoy their training and bringing them in a new place is part of achieving that goal. He also would like the players to share good memories together while having fun playing football.
Team manager Dan Stephen Palami said that the team also held camps in Tacloban City and a brief stint in Cebu before coming to Davao.

"I must admit Davao is a great place for the team to train. There are not too many distractions just like in Manila," Palami said.

"We are not just here to play football though but we are also here to conduct kids and coaching clinics as part of our social responsibility. We want to inspire more children to get to play football," Palami added.
Team captain Alexander Charles Luis Borromeo said he's happy their preparations went full swing for eight months now.

"I've been with the team for six years and this is the only time that we experience a full preparation. The team is complete and is ready to play the best teams in the Qualifers like Thailand and Singapore. I think next month will be the real test on where these preparations are leading us," Borromeo said.

Assistant coach Edwin Cabalida said having started training the team since January was the longest preparation they ever had for a big event.

"Two years ago, we competed in the Suzuki Cup with only three weeks of training. We lost in our game and never got the chance to advance in the tournament at all. I am confident it will be a way different in Laos this time," the Filipino coach said.

Co-team captain Emelio Caligdong, a native of Iloilo, thanked Palami for all his support, saying that bringing McMenemy to the team made a lot of difference even for somebody like him who have been with the team since 2000.

Completing the team roster are Robert James Gier, Jason Nicolas Maria de Jong, Manuel Ott, Ian Araneta, Yanti Barsales, Eduard Sacapano, Jerry Barbaso, Neil Etheridge, Kristopher John Relucio, Anton del Rosario, Roxy Bongbong Dorlas, Ruel Gener, Mark Ferrer, Reymark Palmes, Nestorio Margarse, Michael Aubrey Atienza, Matthew Hartmann; Jose Alfe Caminos, Christopher Nicholas Camcam, Ray Johnson, Joebel Bermejo, Ralph Kock, Stephen Markus Shrock, Gino Pavone, Fil-British brothers Philip James and James Joseph Younghusband, Jerry Lucena and M'lang native Peter Jaugan.

McMenemy, meanwhile, said he will hold the free clinic for youth players on Saturday at the Deca Homes Resort and Residences (DHRR) soccer field at 2 p.m. and the coaches clinic on Sept. 23 at the Tionko field at 8 a.m.

The team will also pay a courtesy call to Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte at 1 p.m. Friday.

Sun Star Davao