MANILA – Iloilo’s rising football stars will carry the country’s colors as the Philippines mounts its campaign in the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, a testament to the province’s growing stature as a cradle of talent for the national team.
Selwyn Nickos Mamon of the Iloilo-Guimaras Regional Football Association and Far Eastern University, along with Jaime Rosquillo of Iloilo-Guimaras RFA and Dynamic Herb Cebu FC, headline the 24-man roster unveiled by the Philippine Football Federation (PFF).
The squad will be under the guidance of newly appointed Spanish head coach Michael Martinez Alvarez, with UAAP champion mentor Popoy Clarino of the University of the Philippines as assistant coach. Also joining the bench are goalkeeping coach Joan Drets Leida, technical analyst Sergi Mulet Suarez, PFF Director of Football Vince Santos as team manager, and Patrick Valenzuela as assistant team manager.
The roster is a mix of local and overseas-based standouts, including goalkeepers Nicholas Guimaraes (Juntendo University, Japan), Jose Alfonso Gonzalez (NCRFA, UP), and Cesar Iñigo Castro III (NCRFA, La Salle). Among the field players are England-based Isaiah Fariq Alakiu (Brighton & Hove Albion U18), Javier Alessandro Mariona (AV Alta FC, USA), Sandro Miguel Reyes (FC Gütersloh, Germany), Santiago Rublico (AD Alcorcón, Spain), Alex James Monis (New England Revolution II, USA), and Kaya FC–Iloilo’s Gavin Muens.
PFF president John Anthony Gutierrez said the federation is optimistic about the squad’s chances.
“We believe they have what it takes to perform at the highest level and advance to the Asian Cup, building on their impressive run in the ASEAN semis,” Gutierrez said.
The Philippines, bracketed in Group K, opens against Syria on September 3 (9 p.m., Manila time), followed by host Tajikistan on September 7 (12 midnight), before wrapping up against Nepal on September 9 (9 p.m.) at Pamir Stadium.
The qualifiers will determine the nations advancing to the final tournament set for January 2026 in Saudi Arabia./PN
