NCAA/UAAP players to beef up NCR's 2 teams in PFF Suzuki Cup

With the quarterfinals stage of the PFF Suzuki U-23 National Cup a few weeks away, the National Capital Region Football Association (NCRFA) will officially announce the members of the two squads they are fielding to represent the NCR on April 30.

The teams are expected to be beefed up by players from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

Hans Peter Smit of La Salle, who was appointed by the NCRFA as head coach, said that Rodolfo Alicante of Far Eastern University, Andres Gonzales of UAAP champion University of the Philippines, and Florante “Lolong" Valencia, who will be the goal keeper coach, will be assisting him in the coaching staff.

“The coaching staff will handle both teams," clarified Smit. “We are going with what we have even if we do not have the luxury of an 18-man roster."

Although the rosters have yet to be finalized, Smit bared a few names who are already assured of slots in the two teams.

“We have two members of the Philippine men’s national team joining the teams," said Smit. “They’re Yannick Tuazon and David Basa."

Other players named to the squads include La Salle’s Patrick Deyto and Nikko Villa; UP’s Stephen Permanes and Gerardo Valmayor; FEU’s Joaquin Melliza and Ronnie Aguisanda; Ateneo’s Anton Amistoso and Mikko Mabanag; College of Saint Benilde’s Miko Manglapus; and UST’s Ojay Clarino.

Permanes, a two-time UAAP champion was adjudged the MVP of the last football tournament while teammate Valmayor was Rookie of the Year on top of being the lead scorer of the season.

Of the aforementioned players, Valmayor, Melliza, and Aguisanda were born outside Metro Manila.

Tournament rules allow players to suit up for teams outside their province of birth provided that they play in that local area. In the recently-concluded Visayan Regionals, Jake Morallo played for Bacolod in spite of being born in Dumaguete. Morris John Tulang was born in Dipolog, but played for Dumaguete since he attends at Foundation University located in Negros Oriental. - RCJ, GMA News

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