RP football team best ever in years

BACOLOD — National football coach Aris Caslib submitted his final lineup beefed up by six Fil-foreign recruits during the team managers’ meeting Saturday, describing the nationals seeking the country’s first ever medal as having "depth in offense, steady midfield and strong defensive line."

The squad, the best team ever assembled for the SEAG since 1977, is led by Fil-foreign reinforcements Phil and James Younghusband, Chad Gould, Andy Procknow, Filippo Braggio and Phil Greatwich. But former Bright Hove Albion reserve Chris Greatwich was scratched from the squad roster as his Hartwick team in the US NCAA has advanced into the next round.

Also making it to the team are Airforce FC’s Ian Bayona Araneta, Emilio Caligdong, Mendiola FC’s Jesan Candolesa, Vaughn Mellendrez and Mark Peterson Villon, Kaya’s Alex Borromeo, San Beda’s Louie Casas, Jeffrey Liman and Gerald Orcullo, Sta. Barbara’s Bervic Italia, Davao’s Peter Jaugan, FEU’s Jay-Archie Marcaida, La Salle-Bacolod’s Arnie Pasinabo and UE’s Alvin Valeroso.

Roy Clores, Oliver Colina, Ruffy Narvaez, Jose Ombos, Paul Tolentino and Johniel Vapor missed the final cut.

Despite the absence of Chris Greatwich, who had played for the RP team in the recent Tiger Cup, Caslib believed he has assembled a team with a realistic chance of figuring in the medal games in this biennial meet.

"This team has depth in attack with stable midfield and very strong defensive line," said Caslib, adding his Fil-Ams are to man the areas where they used to be weak.

Caslib also mentioned the return of Casas, Borromeo and Villon in the RP team roster. They missed the pre-SEA Games tournament in Bangkok, Thailand last October for various reasons.

"The return of these three players also helps stabilize everything," Caslib said.

The RP team’s coaching staff cut short a morning workout yesterday when they spotted Thailand scouts in the venue.

"I’m sure they have heard of the Younghusbands so they wanted them scouted," said Caslib.

The RP X1, out for an ambitious bid to finally win a SEAG medal, starts its quest at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday against the Thais at the Bacolod City Sports Stadium ˆ formerly Paglaum.

The RP booters will next be up against the Cambodians at 4:30 p.m. Friday at the Panaad Center then versus the Malaysians at 5 p.m. on Nov. 29 also at the Panaad.