THE Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Suzuki Cup U23 National Cup Mindanao regional finals kicked off Thursday afternoon at the Tionko football grounds with four teams fighting for slots to the quarterfinals.
Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Suzuki Cup general coordinator Red Avelino, gracing the regular Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum Thursday at the Tower Inn, said the top two teams in this Mindanao qualifying will advance to the quarterfinals slated at the Panaad Park and Sports Stadium in Bacolod City.
"The top two teams from Mindanao, Luzon, Visayas and the National Capital Region will compete in the quarters where they will be grouped into two. The top of each group will then enter the semifinals," Avelino said.
He said the PFF Suzuki U23 Cup serves as a selection process for possible slots in the national team set to compete in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Indonesia in November.
Only those aged 23 and under from the current national team Azkals who can play in the SEA Games, which is the reason the selection process is now being staged.
Suzuki Philippines managing director Catalina Calderon said their company felt the need for the country to develop more local talents in football on the heels of the Azkals' growing popularity.
"Our mother company in Japan has been throwing huge sponsorships with the AFC that's why we are just following their lead. We are partnering with PFF in this helping youth football here," Catalan said.
Public relations officer Eillen Esteban, meanwhile, said Zuzuki will continue to be in the forefront of supporting football in the Philippines.
Matches started Thursday afternoon with Davao City going against Dipolog and North Cotabato playing Cagayan de Oro.
Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on April 29, 2011.
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