Pagcor chips in P2M for Azkals

MANILA, Philippines - The Azkals continue to draw the sponsors even while away.

Yesterday, as the Azkals trained in wintry Japan, Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta announced that he received a P2 million donation from Pagcor.

“It’s something for the team from Pagcor,” said Araneta.

The PFF chief said the amount will be used to cover the team’s expenses in the ongoing AFC Challenge Cup.

Araneta said bulk of the amount given by the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation will cover the plane fare of the team which is now in Japan.

The Azkals are in a training facility in Gotemba, located near the foot of Mt. Fuji. They’ve been there the past four days in preparation for their March 15 match with Mongolia in Ulan Bator.

“Of course, it’s a very big help,” said Araneta of the Pagcor donation courtesy of its chairman, Bong Naguiat, and president, Jorge Sarmiento.

“We want to thank Pagcor, its chairman and president, for their tremendous support,” added the football chief.

Araneta said the Pagcor donation will carry the team through the group stage of the ongoing AFC Challenge. Should the Azkals get past Mongolia, they will next face Myanmar, Bangladesh and Palestine in the next stage.

The Azkals will fly to Ulan Bator, where temperature dips to around minus-11 degrees these days, on Saturday, just in time for the match.

Seeing action in Ulan Bator are Ed Sacapano, Phil Younghusband, Chieffy Caligdong, James Younghusband, Anton del Rosario, Ian Araneta, Yanti Barsales, Joebel Bermejo, Reymark Palmes, Mark Ferrer, Peter Jaugan, Chris Camcam, Jerry Barbaso and Kim Relucio, Aly Borromeo, Simon Greatwich, Jason Sabio, Ray Jonsson and Jason de Jong.

Top goalie Neil Etheridge is out of the Ulan Bator match after having been loaned by Fulham to Charleton Athletic for the League One action.