Our scouting team, led by Stephen Servita, Hans Roque and Abuminar Dybala, gave The Designated Kit Man an initial list of players that have the potential of joining the national senior’s team someday. These young players are highly-recommended by our scouts, they just need to be given the opportunity to show their skills and what they can do if given the chance to play for the national men’s team, the under-23 or be called for the national training pool.
On top of this list are Bryan Ybañez, Carlo Dorin, Miguel De Mesa and the Saut brothers–Cyrelle and Syron. They are among the best and most promising homegrown football players around right now.
Ybañez is from General Santos City, who initially suited for National University in the UAAP before turning professional during the pandemic. He played for Stallion Laguna FC in the Philippines Football League.
Servita and Roque say Ybañez is “a fast and a quick winger, a good dribbler, a decent crosser and can score from a distance. He almost made it to the U23 team that competed in the AFF and SEA Games tournament. He was among the cuts from the squad. He was capped in the U18 national team in 2017.
“He is a very explosive player, maiksi ang playing time pero ‘pag pinasok, malupit,” Servita added.
Dorin, meanwhile, is currently trying to join a team in the PFL, while balancing his studies. He said he is 21 years old and currently training with coach Darren Hartmann in Siniloan, Laguna while taking up Business Administration, Major in Marketing.
Dorin was a former member of the country’s several national youth teams. He last played for the U18 squad where he scored two goals in three games.
According to Roque, Dorin’s strengths are his “positioning and goal scoring.”
“He is quite small for a traditional forward, kaya there were times when he was deployed as winger by former coach Scott Cooper when he was with ADT in 2020,” Roque added.
A native of Cagayan De Oro City, Dorin says he is waiting for chances to come his way.
“If my opportunity po, why not? Kung may offer po, Why not?” he said. “Gusto ko lang po makapaglaro para masuportahan ko pag-aaral ko at mga kapatid ko. Wala na po kasi kami mga magulang,” Dorin added.
The Saut brothers–Cyrelle and Syrod–are considered among the best and most promising young players based in the country right now. Both are products of the famed Tuloy FC program.
Capped many times in the U19 team last year, Cyrelle Saut is a skilled dribbler, can play strike with either foot and despite his relatively short height, his strengths are above the rest among his peers.
Older by two years than his brother, Syron is also a good dribbler, passer and can finish when given the opportunity. He plays “a slightly direct style” compared to Cyrelle.
De Mesa, on the other hand, is a product of De La Salle Zobel and the Makati FC. He is a talented fullback that can also contribute on offense. He appeared for the U15 national team along Azkal Sandro Reyes.
“These players are really good and so many more out there. Some of them are going through several challenges right now and we need to help them, make them know that they are not alone. They need all the opportunity and support that they can get,” Servita said.
The tryouts for the Azkals Development Team started yesterday and will last until Sunday. Interested players hoping to join the team are encouraged to go to the Rizal Football Stadium and strut their wares from 2 to 4 p.m. The team needs players who were born on or after January 1, 2001 and who will be ready to play for the squad for the second half of the current domestic league.
Team Manager Josef Malinay said a significant number of players have signified their intentions in joining the squad.
“More than 400 players have signed up. Hopefully, we can find good players with the right attitude and passion for the sport,” Malinay said.
Incidentally, the Philippines Football League season will resume on February 18 and 19, 2023 with three games.
Action resumes with Mendiola FC 1991 going up against United City FC while Maharlika FC faces Stallion Laguna FC
Current leaders Kaya FC Iloilo will take on Dynamic Herb Cebu FC in the so called Visayas Derby in Iloilo City for the league’s out of town match.
Kaya leads the team standings with 30 points, followed by United City FC with 24. Cebu is third with 21. The ADT is tied with Stallion Laguna FC in fourth spot with identical 15 points while Mendiola FC 1991 is sixth with six points and Maharlika FC is with a solitary point for the last spot.
On a lighter note, I had the chance to chat with fellow Bedan Raul Roque, one of the two people behind Nature Joe’s Trading Inc. The other one is Joey Villamor. Nature Joe’s has an array of products, made from organic materials, that offer great benefits to athletes and even ordinary people like us. One of these particular products is the Recharge Energy Spray which increases strength and power, improves stability and balance, enhances muscle flexibility and many more.
Just like the typical skeptic, I was hesitant to believe its claims until Bossing Raul tried the Recharge Energy Spray on my right shoulder. He just sprayed it on me even with my shirt on. And after a few minutes, I felt its effects. The stiffness in my shoulder was gone and immediate relief came.
But then again, don’t just take my word, better check Nature Joe’s Trading Post’s FB page, Spyder and Blade outlets for more details and where to purchase their products from sports gear protector, sanitizers, multipurpose cleaner, liquid stain remover, soap and even engine booster oil for cars, bikes and scooters.
Please don’t forget to watch and tune in this Sunday, January 22, 2023 from 2 to 3 p.m. for another interesting episode of 3PTS–Pambansang Tambayan ng Sports at DZME 1530 KHZ. The Designated Kit Man along with Rommel Miranda andJoshua Lopez will be joined by Stephen “The Sniper” Loman, Danny “The King” Kingad and International Business Times Sports Editor Nissi Icasiano.
The Sniper is the former BRAVE CF bantamweight champion from the famous Team Lakay of La Trinidad, Benguet. He is eyeing a title shot in ONE Championship.
The King, on the other hand, is currently ranked third in ONE Championship’s talent laden flyweight division. Also a member of Team Lakay, Kingad is set to return to the ring against Indonesian Eko Roni Saputra next month.
Icasiano is a sportswriter, analyst and editor. He has written for various media outlets in and out of the country. He is also a combat sports analyst for television and radio. He is a graduate of San Beda University and a fellow Bedan.
Loman and Kingad will share their plans and goals as they pursue title shots in their weight categories while Icasiano will share his take on the Mixed Martial Arts scene and what fans can expect in the coming weeks.
Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!
For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat
