The U16 Boys National Team is set to compete in the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) U16 Championship 2015 to be held on 27 July to 9 August 2015 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) held a send off ceremony last Friday, July 24 for the final squad composed of 23 players from Luzon (7), Visayas (9) and Mindanao (7). They were chosen from a pool of 30 players from several hundreds who attended the tryouts in different areas of the country. Several players were also members of the previous U14 Boys National Team. The pool trained in a month-long camp at the University of the Philippines campus in Laguna.
“We wish our boys success in the AFF U-16 Championship. We are proud to have chosen them and we are confident that they will give their best in the tournament. We commend their commitment to play for their country, especially that they had to miss some school days for this.” said PFF President Mariano “Nonong” Araneta in a message.
During the send off, PFF General Secretary Atty. Edwin B. Gastanes congratulated the players for having been chosen to represent the country.”Congratulations to all players for making it to the final squad. When you play in the competition, remember that you will not only be playing for family, your friends or yourselves, but you will be playing for all of us Filipinos, and for our flag and our country,” said Atty.Gastanes.
Emphasizing that the PFF and the coaching staff selected the best and most promising players from different regions, Atty. Gastanes called on each of the players to be recognized. He also thanked the parents for their support and entrusting their children to PFF.
Joining the team as Assistant Coach is former Men’s National Team player Chieffy Caligdong who is starting a career in coaching. “I’m very happy to share my experiences in the national team. They are all potential players, these boys are the best from all over the Philippines. It’s good to still be part of Philippine football, now as a coaching staff. I will continue to support its growth for the next generation,” said Caligdong.
U16 Team Captain Fidel Tacardon, who was also part of the U14 Boys National Team, expressed his confidence in his teammates, despite the challenging competition that they will be facing. Tacardon said that the team has a strong bond in and out of the team and he feels that everyone will give their 100% in their games.
The tournament will be participated in by 11 countries that are divided into 2 groups. The Philippines will compete in Group B together with Australia, Singapore, Cambodia and Myanmar. In Group A are Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, Timor Leste, Brunei Darussalam and Thailand. The top 2 teams in each group will advance to the semi-finals stage.
PHILIPPINES U16 BOYS TEAM POOL
| 1 | BAITO | VINCE ERIC | (Rizal) | |
| 2 | BORBON | JAILANI | (Iloilo) | |
| 3 | CHENG | JUSTIN ANDRE | (Masbate) | |
| 4 | CORDERO | KRISTIAN LOUIS | (NCR) | |
| 5 | CORDOVA | REI SERGIO III | (Zamboanga del Norte) | |
| 6 | DELA VICTORIA | JOSEPH SHERWIN | (Negros Occidental) | |
| 7 | JAMES | PRICHI ROY | (Zamboanga del Norte) | |
| 8 | LIM | GABRIEL ADRIAN | (Negros Occidental) | |
| 9 | LOPEZ | JOSE ANTONIO | (Davao) | |
| 10 | MAQUILING | LEO GABRIEL | (Cebu) | |
| 11 | MATHAY | PACO | (NCR) | |
| 12 | MENDOZA | ALFONSO CARLOS | (NCR) | |
| 13 | NAPOLITANO | KIER JOHN | (North Cotabato) | |
| 14 | PEREZ | LIAN | (Negros Occidental) | |
| 15 | RASONABLE | ELLJHONE CLYDE | (Bukidnon) | |
| 16 | RONQUILLO | KYLE ADRIAN | (Cebu) | |
| 17 | SEMBLANTE | JESSIE REIL | (Cebu) | |
| 18 | SIJUB | DANIEL JOHN | (Negros Occidental) | |
| 19 | SINCONIQUE | JERICHO | (Negros Occidental) | |
| 20 | STUART DEL ROSARIO | KOBE JOSEPH | (NCR) | |
| 21 | SY | TROY MARTIN | (NCR) | |
| 22 | TACARDON | FIDEL VICTOR | (NCR) | |
| 23 | WILSON | ROBERT | (Cagayan de Oro) |
TEAM OFFICIALS
| 1 | Team Manager | CHENG | JEFFERSON |
| 2 | Head Coach | ABERASTURI | JOSE MARIA |
| 3 | Asst. Coach | CALIGDONG | EMELIO |
| 4 | GK Coach | ALBAO | ANTHONY |
| 5 | Coordinator | BERNARDO | ROLETTE DIVINE |
| 6 | Physiotherapist | RAPER | DIANNE |
| 7 | Physiotherapist | ANICIETE | MARC CHRISTIAN |
| 8 | Technical Adviser | MARO | MARLON |
| 9 | Liaison Officer | FLORES | JIM ASHLEY |
| 10 | Kitman | ALNAS | GINA |
| 11 | Kitman | FRANCISCO | DARWIN |
| 12 | Photographer | SANCHEZ | MIGUELITO |
SCHEDULE OF MATCHES
| Date | Match |
| 28 Jul | Philippines vs Cambodia |
| 30 Jul | Singapore vs Philippines |
| 1 Aug | Myanmar vs Philippines |
| 5 Aug | Australia vs Philippines |
| 7 Aug | Winner A vs Runner-up BWinner B vs Runner-up A |
| 9 Aug | Loser SF1 vs Loser SF2Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2 |