Philippines reveals AFC U23 roster

Jordan Jarvis and Dylan De Bruycker. Two of the 23 called up to represent the Philippines in international duty.

The Philippine Football Federation on Tuesday officially revealed its 23-man roster for the upcoming AFC U23 Qualifiers that will commence later this afternoon at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The twenty-three names are:

Michael Asong (San Beda)
Nimrod Balabat (San Beda)
Junell Mark Bautista (Davao Aguilas FC)
JB Borlongan (UP / Kaya FC -Makati B)
Enzo Cheng (Davao Aguilas FC)
Ian Clarino (UP / FC Meralco Manila)

Roberto Corsame, Jr (Arellano)
Reymart Cubon (FEU / Kaya FC-Makati B)
Dylan De Bruycker (Davao Aguilas FC)
Rey Franco Miguel De La Torre (Davao Aguilas FC)
Van Rey Diaz (Davao Aguilas FC)
Daniel Gadia (FC Meralco Manila)
Jarvey Gayoso (Ateneo)
Josh Grommen (Ceres-Negros FC)
Jordan Jarvis (Davao Aguilas FC)
RJ Joyel (FEU / Kaya FC-Makati B)
Yoshiharu Koizumi (La Salle)
Christian Lapas (UP / Kaya FC-Makati B)
Dimitri Limbo (Kaya FC-Makati B)
Jayrah Rocha (Ateneo / Kaya FC-Makati B)
Richard Talaroc Jr (Davao Aguilas FC)
Patrick Valenzuela (NU)
Ace Villanueva (FC Meralco Manila)

The Philippines Football League's Davao Aguilas FC has seven players called up from its ranks, with Kaya FC-Makati has six players coming from its B-team. In addition, half of the squad has championship experience from the collegiate ranks.

Coaching this squad is Marlon Maro.

Davao's chairman Jefferson Cheng hailed the call-ups from his team, calling it "a proud moment" for the club.

The team departed for Cambodia this past Monday, in time for the start of their Group J Qualifiers later this afternoon. The schedule is as follows (Manila time):

July 19 vs Japan: 430pm
July 21 vs China PR: 430pm
July 23 vs Cambodia: 730pm

No details available yet if there is streaming for any of the three matches.

Whoever tops this group will advance to the finals, as well as the runner-up, provided that team is among the five best among the different groups. It is important to note that China PR has already booked its seat in the final as they are the host team for that portion of the AFC U23.

To prepare for this competition, the team regularly had training sessions at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. In addition, seventeen of these players participated at a training camp in Japan earlier this month, that was coordinated by the Philippine Football Federation and their Japanese counterparts. Said camp included friendlies against Tokai University (3-1 loss), JFA Fukushima Academy (1-0 loss), and Ryutsu Keizai University (3-0 loss).

The Qualifiers will also help with preparations for the upcoming 29th SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur in less than a month's time.