25 join Queen City regulars in tryout

By Cheska D. Geli

Saturday, November 12, 2011

A TOTAL of 25 hopefuls showed up for the Cebu Queen City FC United tryout yesterday at the University of San Carlos Talamban campus.

The selection of new players is part of the team’s vision to create a formidable team that will compete in the second division of the United Football League next year.


“It has to be a stronger team considering the competition in Manila. Bisag second division na, taas gihapon ang level,” said head coach Mario Ceniza.

The team is looking for players who can reinforce some of the positions they lack in the team.

Ceniza is more confident playing against second division teams and with a sturdy and aggressive team, he is placing his hopes high to get in the top five.

The team’s ultimate goal is to finish in the top two of Division 2 and get promoted to the first division of the UFL, the country’s premier league.

Aside from the collegiate players—including one from Ghana—young hopefuls below 20 also joined the tryout.

Among the youngest players were Richie Tambor of the University of San Jose-Recoletos and Miguel Flores and Joey Uy from, who are all 16.

Ceniza said he was disappointed only a few university players joined the tryout.

On the other hand, Philippine national under 19 team member Hanesin Prince Anthony, 18, who is a striker of USC, showed up.

“This is not about how young you are because there are guys who are only 17 who get to play in the World Cup,” said Anthony.

Isaac Agyei, 18, from Ghana also showed up for a shot at joining the football club.

Agyei has played with second and third division teams in Ghana before he pursued studies in Malaysia.

He was also able to train with players from Don Bosco United.

He has been in the country for a two-month vacation with some of his African friends based here and if he gets a chance to be in the team, he will extend his stay and focus on being a full-time player.

“It’s a good team so I decided to be part of them. It has been a good experience to meet the players,” said Agyei.

The tryouts are extended to today for other players who miss yesterday’s session. Those who joined on the first day will be back for another assessment by the coaching staff.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on November 13, 2011.