‘Hunger’ may prove key to football upset

SINGAPORE — Appearing only once in the medal round of the football tournament of the Southeast Asian Games in 59 years, the Philippines is long considered as the minnows of the sport.

But Philippine U-23 Coach Marlon Maro believes the team’s “hunger” for a podium finish can finally turn things around for them.

The Filipinos kick off their campaign by playing host Singapore on Monday at 8:30 p.m. at Jalan Besar Stadium, with a semifinal finish in their minds.

“The asset of this team is speed, youth and hunger. Hunger because the last time we’re able to reach the semifinals of this competition was in 1991. It’s been a long time,” said Maro, 49, moments after holding a team meeting yesterday at Days Hotel here.

The last and only time the Philippines made it to the medal round was 24 years ago when it hosted the Games, but was beaten by Singapore, 2-0, for the bronze.

Maro, who was the skipper for the national team in the 1993 SEA Games, believes another type of “hunger” will fuel his wards to give their rivals a run for their money.

“Hunger also because my players wanted to prove that homegrown talent is also capable of representing the country,” said Maro, also the coach of College of St. Benilde in the NCAA.

With an average age of 21 years old, the team is relatively a young team which has only collegiate and United Football League playing experience. But Maro said the team is capable of pulling off a surprise.

“When it comes to experience in matches, we have a lot, but experience in playing in the SEA Games, ninetypercent of the team is new,” said Maro. “But to compensate for that we held several international camps. Physically and psychologically the team is ready.”

One of the training camps was held from May 13-22 in Sydney, Australia where they played five matches.

Green Archers United’s Kenny Uzoka, University of the Philippines’ Julian Clarino, Kaya’s Dominic Liam Del Rosario, San Beda’s Neil Dorimon, Global’s Florencio Badelic Jr. and Stallion’s Fitch Arboleda are part of the team.

Other members are Ronnie Aguisanda, Nathaniel Andrew Alquiros, Arnel Amita, Mark Anthony Besana, Paolo Bugas, Jaime Cheng, Shirmar Felongco, Daniel Gadia, Paolo Salenga, Francisco Santos, Connor Reece Tacagni, Richard Talroc, Gerardo Valmayor and Nathanael Villanueva.