Sharpe makes cut

CEBU International School’s Michael Daniel Sharpe joins a select group of Cebuano players after getting named to the National Under-21 team for the Southeast Asian U21 Championships in Brunei.

The inclusion of Sharpe, who has regularly played in the Men’s Open for the past two years, in the line up marks the third straight year a Cebuano has made it to a national team.

Aside from Sharpe, Kevin Tecson, Evanjames Mendoza and Joshua Cruz made it to the U14 team last year, while Oliver Colina, who also coaches at CIS, made the U23 team in 2005.

“He’s primarily playing the midfield, but sometimes we let him play up or down.  That’s what is good with him, because he can play three positions,” said national U21 coach Bob Salvacion.

Sharpe will join the 17 other players who survived the two-week training in Manila for the Hassanel Bolkiah Cup in Brunei on March 3 to 13.

The 15-year-old Sharpe will also be one of the youngest member of the team.

“He is big, but he is fast and agile for his size,” said Salvacion.

After missing the Asean Football Federation Championships in Thailand last January, Philip Younghusband returns to active duty for the Bolkiah Cup and will be the primary scoring threat for the Philippines.  Younghusband, who plays for the Chelsea reserves, will be joined by another Fil-Brit, Matthew Hartmann in the team.

Aside from the three, the other players in the squad are Jemson Ayuban, Glenn Bulaquina, Bern Calumpang, Jaypee Coopera, Jason Cordova, Bongbong Dorlas, Eliezer Fabroada, Albert Francisco, Robert Lecoto, Nicolas Leonora, Dennis Montialbucio, Jayson Panhay, Glester Sobremisana and Dave Villon.

Meanwhile the national team will be pressed for time after their departure was moved a day later.

“I just learned today that we will be leaving on March 2 instead of March 1,” said Salvacion.  The coach, who is aiming for a semifinal spot in the event, said he didn’t know the reason for the change.

The Philippines will play Myanmar on March 3, Brunei on March 5 and Cambodia on March 7

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