Fit-again former skipper Aly Borromeo keen to join fresh fight for Azkals places

By Karlo Sacamos

IT may have given him a lot of free time — which he will now partly spend hosting a new football show, but Aly Borromeo is not letting his injury become a hindrance in his bid for a comeback with the national team.
Recovering from an ACL tear on his right knee that sidelined him for more than two years, the former Azkals skipper is raring to return to the national squad now under the reins of a new coach.
“I know I can still play. I’m not walking off that field limping,” Borromeo said on Wednesday after the launch of 'Road to Rio,' cable station Balls Channel’s newest show that drumbeats the upcoming 2014 Fifa World Cup.
Borromeo, who will host the new weekly 30-minute program along with Malditas counterpart Marielle Benitez and reporter and football fan Atom Araullo, said he has returned to training and aims to play first for local club Kaya FC in the United Football League.
“From there, the coach will see I’m available and good enough to play for the national team.”
Once the anchor of the Azkals’ backline, the reliable center-back, however, admitted regaining his position is easier said than done considering the abundance of talent at the disposal of new coach Thomas Dooley.
“Hindi kagaya ng dati na komportable lang 'yung players. Now, there’s more competitiveness. Clean slate for everyone. Everyone has to vie for a spot.”
“I have three to four different players I need to compete against just to get my spot back, so that makes me work one hundred percent more, be in practice earlier, stay in practice later, working on my weaknesses.”
“But the more challenge, the better. It makes me hungrier,” added Borromeo, who will co-host 'Road to Rio' starting on Saturday at 6 p.m.
Aside from Balls Channel, the official broadcaster of the 2014 Fifa World Cup, ABS-CBN Sports+Action will also air the new show beginning Monday at 11 p.m.
“Road to Rio” brings interesting trivia as well as teams and players to watch out for in the football’s quadrennial showpiece event. 

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