Cebu to Field Best Squad in PFF-Smart National Under-22 Championship

Cebu is planning to field the best possible Under-22 squad for Philippine Football Federation (PFF)-Smart National Under-22 Championship.

The Cebu Football Association (CFA) decided that the bulk of the Cebu Under-22 team and the coach will come from the champion in the collegiate division of the ongoing Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) tournament.

But some standouts from other schools and also players that have no connection to any school may be invited to form a more formidable squad.

“The winning Cesafi team will be core of team. But there will be other players that will be invited to tryout,” CFA vice-president Rico Navarro said.

“They are still setting tryouts schedule. All college coaches have agreed to cooperate by making their players available,” Navarro said.

Currently, the top two teams in the Cesafi tournament are University of San Jose-Recoletos of coach Joselito Bono and the University of Cebu of coach Glen Ramos.

Navarro said the CFA will also provide additional members of the bench, like strength and conditioning and goalkeeping coaches for the Cebu Under-22 team.

Cebu is in Group D along with Iloilo, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Calbayog, Northern Samar and Capiz.

The Group D matches are slated on Nov. 10 to 15 at the Panaad Sports Complex.

Group D will be divided to two brackets, which will play a single round robin.

The top team of each bracket plays a single match and the winner advances to the quarter finals in January. (PNA) LAP/EB/MP/EDS