AFTER achieving a rare feat to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup for the first time, the Philippine men’s football team will not stop moving up further as it aims to be the best in Asia.
Team manager Dan Palami said he sees nothing wrong for the Philippine players to set ambitious goals for themselves when they make their tournament debut in the United Arab Emirates next year.
“We’re not going there just to participate. We’re going there to compete, and we’re going there fully prepared,” said Palami. “We want to make sure we make an impact on the Asian stage.”
“I want to be the Iceland in the Asian Cup,” added Palami, referring to the Iceland squad, which made upset wins against tough teams in the 2016 UEFA Euro.
Mentored by Thomas Dooley, Azkals reached the AFC Asian Cup for the first time after its come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Tajikistan on March 27 at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
“We were just crying inside the dugout, and I think that says it all,” said Palami. “We’ve been through a lot, especially for me. I’ve seen players come and go, coaches come and go.”
“We’ve not been always successful but to make it to the bigger stage after all those heartaches, masaya, and it’s a feeling that can’t be described,” added the longtime Azkals manager.
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Mart James Barrera was one of the Western Visayas-based players who shone bright during the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) All-Star Division 2 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Negrense forward had a double-double 10 points and 14 rebounds in the Kiefer Ravena-mentored Team Dedication’s 91-89 win over Team Passion, which was handled by Jeron Teng.
Barrera, a prized possession of the Bacolod Tay Tung High School, had an all-around performance in the slim win for him to be named part of the All-Star’s Mythical Five. He was previously named in Division 2’s Mythical Selection.
“Basta ako gusto ko lang ipagpatuloy ang pagpapabuti sa laro ko at siyempre hard work rin,” said Barrera, who has drawn attention from a number of Manila-based colleges.
His Tay Tung teammates Ryan Cruz and Harold Alarcon also had impressive showing during the game – 6 points including a game-winning triple for Dedication, and 8 points for Passion, respectively.
“Ine-enjoy lang namin ang laro namin kasi bihira naman for us na makalaro in Manila,” Cruz told Buzzer Beater. “Thankful din ako sa opportunity na ito para ipakita na kaya din naming makipagsabayan.”
Another Western Visayas-based player in the exhibition match was Hercor College Junior Jaguars’ Jamwell Famaranco, who had 14 points and six rebounds for Dedication./PN
