Coach eyes Cebuano for RP team

AFTER three others got the chance this year, another Cebuano will get his shot at donning the RP football team’s colors.



University of San Carlos goalkeeper Paolo Pascual was invited to join the national training camp in Manila by goalkeeping coach Noel Marcaida and could see action for RP in the AFC U19 Championships in China next month.



“I like his attitude and he is also aggressive,” Marcaida told Sun.Star Cebu in an interview.

According to Marcaida, Pascual was recommended by some of his Central Visayas teammates from Dumaguete who played with him in the Palarong Pambansa.

“He also has the height and if he just performs consistently in the training camp, he will have a chance to make the team,” said Marcaida.



If he makes the team, the 5'11" Pascual will be the fourth Cebuano called up for national team duties this year.

Other Cebuanos who made the team this year are Carmelo Genco for the Under 14, head coach Glenn Ramos and Christian Noel for the Under 16.

Ramos and Noel are seeing action in the AFC U16 Group E eliminations in Bacolod.

Pascual will be competing with three others for the starting keeper’s spot and has the slight edge because of his age.

“The rest are all born (in) 1993, so they’re not as experienced.  We also have a 6’1” keeper but he is still playing for the Under 16,” said Marcaida.

However, Marcaida said Pascual will have a lot of catching up to do since he will miss the first 12 days of training camp.  USC still have two games to play in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. on Oct. 4  and Oct. 11

The training camp started yesterday.

According to Marcaida, head coach Lloyd James Lim will make the final cut on Oct. 22 and a day later, the team will fly to Macau for a five-day camp and four tune-up games against local clubs before leaving for China on Oct. 29.

Unlike the senior squad, the 22-man U-19 team will be made up of local players and will have no Filipino-Foreigners.

“They recommended three but none of them made a commitment.  We also prefer that the team be made of players from different schools and from different provinces,” said Marcaida.

The Philippines will face China in their first game on Nov. 1, and will next take on Myanmar (Nov. 3), North Korea (Nov. 6), Guam (Nov. 8), and Malaysia (Nov. 11).

Comments

futbolkid said…
What about the sub-goalkeeper who played in the exhibition game between Cebu Selection and National Men's Team last summer 2008 in USC-Talamban, i heard that he was asked by the coaching staff after the game?
Mike Limpag said…
That guy? Was his last name Garciano, or Graciano? The whole coaching staff was replaced after the Iloilo tournament, perhaps they forgot to refer him to the staff that took over, which I believe was also replaced after just one tournament.

Sayang. I saw the game, he played really well in the second half.
Michael said…
No not Gary Garciano, the other one who came in for Garciano in the 2nd half and had good saves. I dont remember the name, but he isnt Cebuano, he is from Iligan or somewhere else, and i also think he played for USJR. Thats the guy who caught the attention of the staff, not Gary.

IMO, if goalies or players in Cebu wanna develop and evolve to become better players or make it to the U23 or MNT, then they should move and play in other regions. Pascual has potential, but he wont get out his full potential if he stays in Cebu. There are more competitive college leagues and regions elsewhere.
Mike Limpag said…
Is he still with USJ-R today?
Michael said…
That i dont know. I dont live in Cebu or Philippines anymore.
futbolkid said…
Yep, not Garciano, the tall one who wore a black uniform. I saw his pic at the former pinoysoccer.com website but couldn't find it anymore. I think he still plays for USJR and i also heard he played for West Negros before. Btw, where are you currently at michael?
Michael said…
Yeah, he was at PS before the site went down. I only saw him in that game, but you could see he had talent. Gary played the match of his life though. Hehehe must been the spikes i gave him a couple of days before the game, they had magic. LOL

I moved back to Norway. Im MikeH from PS.
maki said…
Patrick Gaite is his name..the goalkeeper who replaced garry garciano during the exhibition game he,ld at usc-talamban.

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