Philippines reveals squad for AFF U-22

Team Photo alongside PFF executives Marlon Maro and Atty. Ed Gastanes

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) called up 23 players to comprise the squad that will participate in the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) U-22 Championships, which will take place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia starting this weekend.

The Philippines is scheduled to face Vietnam (February 17 430pm), Thailand (February 19 430pm), and Timor Leste (February 21 730pm) in a span of five days. All matches will take place at the National Stadium in the Khmer capital.

The core of the team comes loaded with collegiate football stints in the UAAP and NCAA, with a few having professional club experience in the Philippines Football League. That extends to their coaching staff, which is headed by Salvador Salvacion and assisted by champion tacticians Anto Gonzales, Popoy Clarino, Niboy Pedimonte, and Ralph Datoy.

To prepare, the squad faced off against local clubs conducting their own preparations for the start of the Philippines Premier League next month.

The AFF U-22 is among the tournaments the PFF is preparing for, in the run-up for potential inclusion onto the upcoming 30th SEA Games, which the Philippines will host this coming November. The squad is part of the pool of candidates for selection and participation in the AFC U23 Qualifiers scheduled next month in Malaysia.

PFF General Secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes sends his best wishes to the team, "We wish the Philippines Men’s Under-22 team the best of luck as they compete in the AFF U22 Championship 2019 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. We hope that the players can maximize their full potential during the competition. Joining the tournament is part of the players’ preparations for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games later this year."

The 23-man squad is as follows

Rico Andes (FW, National University)
Alexandre Arcilla (GK, Ateneo de Manila)
Michael Asong (GK, San Beda)
Lawrence Baguio (DF, College of Saint Benilde)
Winces Balbino (DF, Lyceum)
Kenry Balobo (GK, San Beda)
Jeremiah Borlongan (MF, University of the Philippines)
Jose Miguel Clarino (DF, University of the Philippines)
Dylan de Bruycker (MF, Ceres-Negros FC)
Major Dean Ebarle (DF, Kaya FC-Iloilo)
William Jay Grierson (DF, Ateneo de Manila)Jumbel Guinabang (MF, Arellano)
Jordan Jarvis (DF, Eastern Sports Club (Hong Kong)
Earl Laguerta (MF, College of Saint Benilde)
Christian Lapas (MF, University of the Philippines)
Troy Limbo (FW, Sunderland RCA FC)
Vincent Lovitos (MF, College of Saint Benilde)
Kyle Magdato (MF, University of the Philippines)
Banjo Mahinay (DF, Lyceum)
James Mansueto (DF, Lyceum)
Daniel Saavedra (MF, University of the Philippines)
Ray Sanciangco (DF, University of the Philippines)

Mark Winhoffer (MF, Yale)