PFF Suzuki Cup Final Qualifying Set May 17-26

Ten top teams from all over the country will be up for the most prestigious title of this year’s PFF Suzuki U23 National Cup as they battle in the final qualifying scheduled on May 17-26 in Dumaguete City.

These teams include three teams from Luzon, namely: Masbate, Laguna and Baguio – Benguet; Visayas regional qualifiers include football associations from defending champion Negros Occidental, Iloilo and Cebu, and Mindanao elimination qualifiers North Cotabato, Iligan-Lanao del Norte, Davao and Zamboanga del Norte—Dipolog.

In a memorandum from PFF, those teams to qualify in the semifinals will be playing on May 28 while the championship is set on May 30.

In the final qualifying matches, teams will be divided into 2 groups wherein the top 2 squads in each bracket will advance in the cross-over semis while the winners battle in the finals.

The PFF Suzuki U23 National Cup has been the breeding ground of local players who had moved on to join international competitions as part of the National football team.

Meanwhile, despite the postponement of the tournament, defending champion NOFA-Ceres squad has underwent rigid training to ensure of defending their crown, disclosed by team assistant coach Ramon Janeo.

"Since we have limited time left in our trainings, we focus more on tactical plays. Part of our plan is to gather our players, because some of them are in Manila," he said.

"Sometimes it is also a problem for us when some of our players are unavailable because we cannot perfect some of our plays," he added.

Janeo also admitted they cannot say they have the edge over their opponents. "This is because we know their strengths and weaknesses, and their game strategies as well. Though we beat some of these teams, we try not to be too confident. We believe that our opponents are strong too since they also reached this certain level," he explained.

Veteran tactician Freddie "Nene" Lazarito-mentored squad will have San Carlos star and NOFA-Ceres striker Gerardo Valmayor III, son of San Carlos City Mayor Gerardo Jr., alongside University of St. La Salle scorers Fil-Am Joshua Beloya and J Baguioro, and West Negros University’s Jimuel Arriola.

Also suiting up for the squad are defender Reymark "Buboy" Fernandez, reigning "best goal keeper" Robert Mendoza, second choice keeper Benito Rosalia, third keeper Jurex Replentes, skipper Jimmy Malalo-an, Florence Panogaling, Florence Agraviador, Anthony Tongson, George Balceda, Alan Alfaro, Neil Ryan Lirio, Norman Selotorio, Feb Beneminito Baya, Archie Familiar, Ramoniño Aledro, Kent Guevarra, John Vendell Marcellana, Joash Cabus, Bon Joevie Amanquiton, Chip Christian Robles, John Timothy Bolo, Abelardo Solinas, Michael Continedo, and Michael Cornel.

Joining Lazarito in the coaching task are assistants Janeo, Ali Rojas Go, Lemuel Unabia, goalkeeper coach Michael Casas, and team physician Dr. Emily Zerrudo.

Leo Rey Yanson is team manager.

The PFF Suzuki U23 National cup is sponsored by Suzuki Philippines, a Japanese multinational company highly recognized in the vehicle manufacturing and distribution of value-packed motorcycles and compact vehicles.* (JGToga)

Negros Daily Bulletin