Search for next Azkals on at Suzuki U-23 tiff

By Alder Almo

The search for the future Azkals intensifies as the Philippine Football Federation Suzuki Under-23 National Cup kicks off this month.

The local adaptation of the AFF Suzuki Cup where the Philippine Azkals rose to prominence hopes to lure more untapped talents among the 33 provincial football associations this year.

“Along with the football hype in the country is our ceaseless search for a stronger Philippine team. This (tournament) will definitely groom our young spirants to reach their potential,” said PFF President Mariano “Nonong” Araneta. “We are grateful for the support of Suzuki to Philippine football.”

Last year’s edition saw the rise of Joshua Beloya, a vital cog of the Negros Occidental squad that won the crown. Beloya, eventually, earned a spot in the U-23 national team that played in last year’s Southeast Asian Games where he emerged as the team’s top scorer with three goals.

Suzuki Philippines President Satoshi Uchida, who was also present during this morning's press launch at the PFF office in Pasig City, lauded the PFF for advancing the sport in the country.

“One of Suzuki Philippines’ thrust is really the development of local sports. We have seen the likes Beloya, Neckson Leonora and Jinggoy Valmayor, all products of the PFF Suzuki Cup U-23 national cup, represent the country in the SEA Games last year. They, together, with their teams, are living testimonies why we continue to pledge for the sports’ development in the country,” Uchida said.

Unlike last year’s edition which only ran for three months, the second edition of the Cup will extend to next year in preparation for the 2013 SEA Games in Myanmar. The PFF is hoping to form the core of the national U-23 national team from the tournament.

Philstar A total of ten teams – three each from Luzon and Visayas and four from Mindanao – will advance to the national championships next year. The home-and-away format adopted for the semis and finals is expected to bring more excitement and the fans to the venues.

The Visayas leg will kick-off on March 18 in Dumaguete City while the Mindanao eliminations will start on March 25 in Cagayan de Oro City. Luzon leg will get underway on April 1 in Calamba, Laguna

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Here are the clusters for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao:

Luzon

Group A — Baguio City-Vigan FA, FA of Tarlac, FA of Rizal, National Capital Region FA

Group B — Laguna FA, Oriental Mindoro FA, Quezon FA

Group C — Camarines Norte FA, Legaspi-Albay FA, FA of Masbate, Naga City-Camarines Sur FA

Visayas

Iloilo FA, Cebu FA, Leyte FA,Negros Occidental FA, Negros Oriental FA

Mindanao

North Mindanao Cluster — Bukidnon FA, Butuan Agusan Del Norte FA, CDO Misamis Oriental FA, Lanao Del Norte FA, Surigao Del Norte FA

South Mindanao Cluster — Agusan Del Sur FA, Compostela Valley FA, Davao FA, Davao Del Norte FA

Central Mindanao Cluster — Maguindanao/Cotabato City FA, North Cotabato FA, FA of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat FA

West Mindanao Cluster — Ozamis FA, Zamboanga FA, Zamboanga Del Norte FA, Zamboanga Del Sur-Pagadian FA