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RP XI aspirants test WV booters |
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Tuesday, 01 April 2008 |
 By Cedelf Tupas
BACOLOD CITY (Daily Star) - It’s an exhibition match between two teams shaping up for two major tournaments on different levels.
Nevertheless, it’s seen as a duel that will benefit both squads.
For the AFC Challenge Cup-bound national team, it will be an early gauge of how far it has gone in its preparations for the May 11-17 tournament in Iloilo City.
For the National PRISAA-bound Western Visayas squad, it will be a test of their readiness as they chase the title next week in Zamboanga City.
Gametime is set at 3 p.m. today at the Regional Football Center in Barotac Nuevo town, Iloilo.
Interestingly, the exhibition match will pit collegiate teammates from Bacolod City as well as RP Team coach Norman Fegidero Jr. and his assistants Carlo Torbela and Noah Sajo.
West Negros University’s dynamic midfielder Robert Canedo, defender Lemuel Unabia and striker Joven Bedic will play for the nationals, along with University of St. La Salle duo Floriano Pasilan and Arnie Pasinabo.
The five players are still fighting for their spots in the team and could well boost their stock by turning in some good performances today.
WNU, USLS and University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos banner the Western Visayas XI, which will finally compete in the national PRISAA after organizers approved the inclusion of football in the calendar of the multi-sport collegiate event.
Fegidero, who handled the NOPSSCEA squad that won the regional title in early February, said endurance has been the focus of the RP booters’ training since they begun camp March 24.
“We are working on the players’ physical conditioning, improving their stamina and adjusting on the positions on the pitch,” Fegidero told the DAILY STAR in a telephone interview.
The Challenge Cup pits the Philippines against Bhutan, Brunei and Tajikistan.
With his appointment as coach of the national side, Fegidero has left the coaching chores for the Western Visayas squad to Torbela and Sajo.
Fegidero expressed optimism about the WV squad’s chances of winning the crown in Zamboanga without him and the players loaned to the national team.
Bereft of top players like Unabia and Canedo, the coaching staff tapped Iloilo standouts Elle Cagayanan, Roman Paulo Suñer and Peter Sobrido to bolster the roster. Also in the team are La Sallians Hemerson Campo, Miguel Gonzales and tough-tackling defender Carlos Bolo.
They join West Negros mainstays Irl Tomodos, Jaylor Soriano, Gino Palomo, Francisco Donieza and Ruffy Llorente and UNO-R players JP Gardose, Samson Sare and Michael Pacite.
The national squad, meanwhile, will parade Fil-British midfielder James Younghusband, who, Fegidero said, has been “working hard” since joining training sessions late last week.
“He is still fighting for his spot in the team,” Fegidero said.
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