Queen City starts bid in Visayas qualifying

CEBU, Philippines - The Queen City United will kick off its campaign in the Visayas eliminations of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF)-Smart National Club Championships today at the Silliman ballpark in Dumaguete City.

Teamwork and cohesiveness are no longer a question for the Cebu contingent as majority of its players formed part of the QCU squad that saw action in the second division of the United Football League (UFL).

QCU earned the right to represent the Cebu Football Association (CFA) in this men’s open battle after topping last year's Aboitiz Cup football tournament.

Team QCU is composed of goalkeepers Charles Villarta and Benjamin Sanchez, midfielders Junard Aguilar, Jhonny Dalman, Rene Menchavez, Siegfred Apurado, Rommel Cuizon, Joseph Rodriguez, Samson Olaniyi, Albert Nangkil and Carlito Abadia, forwards Dan Villarico, Ariel Cahilig and Jade Paghubasan and defenders Limhar Baunsit, Bryan Eborda, Marion Cubelo, Ryoji Inoue, Miguel Gonzales and Frederick Isic.

Kenyan forward Ben Rotich has been placed on the reserve list along with defender Nicholas Villacin and goalie Prime Agang.

QCU will only be dealing with two other teams for the regional qualifying following the withdrawal of Iloilo Football Association (IFA) and the Negros Oriental Football Association (NOFA).

Up against the Cebuano booters are Negros Occidental FA-Ceres and Leyte FA.

Only two of the three squads will advance into the round of 16 that will be composed of eight regional qualifiers from all over the country and the top eight squads from the UFL. (FREEMAN)