Perpetual Help taps ex-Azkals captain Caligdong as coach

PERPETUAL HELP has tapped Philippine Azkals legend Emilio “Chieffy” Caligdong as its new football coach with an eye of winning its first football title in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in more than two decades.

Mr. Caligdong, who has retired from national team duties four years ago, has taken over the reins from Aaron Carlos Nebreja with hopes of turning around the Altas’ football fortunes.

The Las Piñas-based booters had actually won two NCAA football titles in 1989 and 1996 but have not won another one since.

Mr. Caligdong’s arrival is hoped to bring fresh boost to the school’s program.

“We feel that a legend like Chieffy Caligdong could help us revive our football program and possibly win us an NCAA championship if not this year, but in the near future,” said Perpetual Help team owner Dr. Antonio Tamayo. Mr. Caligdong is expected to bring in some players from his hometown Barotac Nuevo in Iloilo, which is considered the epicenter of the country’s football universe. “He will bring in several players from Barotac Nuevo and we’re excited of the team’s future already,” said Mr. Tamayo. Perpetual Help has been making significant recruitments to improve its sports programs overall after it tapped former champion San Beda coach Frankie Lim to take over basketball and titled mentor Macky Cariño from St. Benilde to handle volleyball.