MANILA, Philippines –  Jarvey Gayoso leads the the Philippine Under-22 football squad in the Merlion Cup 2019 in Singapore on June 7 to June 9. 

The national team – composed  mainly of collegiate stars from NCAA Season 94 men’s football champion San Beda and UAAP Season 81 titlists Ateneo Blue Eagles – also tapped professional players Dylan de Bruycker of Ceres-Negros FC, Major Dean Ebarle of Mendiola FC, and England-based midfielder Dmitri Limbo of Sunderland RCA FC. 

The country is making its debut in the four-team invitational tournament organized and sanctioned by the Football Association of Singapore.

Joining the Philippines in the competition are Indonesia, Thailand, and tournament host Singapore.

The Philippine Football Federation called up 22 players for the tournament.

This is the third competition the team will compete in after the AFF U22 Championship 2019 last February and the AFC U23 Championship 2020 Qualifiers last March.

The coaching staff is headed by Marlon Maro as team manager and Andres Gonzales as head coach assisted by coaches Randolofo Clarino, Christopher Pedimonte, and Anthony Albao.

The Philippines will face Singapore this Friday, June 7 at 7:30 pm at Jalan Besar Stadium. The next match will be on Sunday, June 9 where the country will either play in the final or in the bronze medal match. 

Squad list: 

Goalkeepers:
ARCILLA, Alexandre Jae- Ateneo de Manila University
ASONG, Michael- San Beda University

Defenders: 
CLARINO, Jose Miguel- University of the Philippines
EBARLE, Major Dean- Mendiola FC
FORROSUELO, Pete Andrei- Far Eastern University
FRIGILLIANO, Viejay- Far Eastern University
GRIERSON, William Jay- Ateneo de Manila University
LAPAS, Christian- University of the Philippines
MARZAN, Jerome- San Beda University
SAAVEDRA, Roland Daniel- University of the Philippines
SABADO, Lorenzo Jr.- San Beda University
SALDIVAR, John Renz- Far Eastern University
SANCIANGCO, Ray Vincent- University of the Philippines

Midfielders:
BORLONGAN, Jeremiah- University of the Philippines
BROCE, Joshua- National University
DE BRUYCKER, Dylan Alain Lucienne- Ceres Negros FC
LIMBO, Dimitri Lionel- Sunderland RCA FC (England)
MAGDATO, Kyle Dominic- University of the Philippines
SUBA, Mariano Jr- San Beda University

Forwards:
GAYOSO, Javier Augustine- Ateneo de Manila University
MIYAGI, Kintaro- University of the Philippines
VERGARA, Shanden- De La Salle University

– Rappler.com