Azkals enlists Ilonggos Felongco, Melliza
MANILA – Two Iloilo and one Negros Occidental-based football players have been added to the Philippine national men’s football team roster ahead of the 2016 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup in November.
Ilonggos Jan Jesus Melliza and Shirmar Felongco and Negrense Camelo Tacusalme were tapped to bolster the Azkals’ lineup, which recently lost veterans Juan Luis Guirado, Paul Mulders, Jerry Lucena, and Rob Gier to retirement.
The La Paz- native Melliza was a decorated member of the Far Eastern University Tamaraws in the UAAP before joining the Green Archers United Globe Football Club in the United Football League (UFL).
The Calinog-native Felongco, on the other hand, was a member Azkals’ U- 23 team that saw action in 2016 AFC U23 Championship qualifiers in Thailand and in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.
Locally, Felongco has played for the University of Santo Tomas Tigers of Ilonggo mentor Marjo Allado. He’s also played for the Pachanga- Diliman Football Club, the Stallion Football Club and the Kaya Football Club in UFL.
Meanwhile, Tacusalme, a native of Talisay, has played i nternationally f or t he Ceres- La Salle Football Club- Philippines in the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup last year.
Aside from Ceres-La Salle, Tacusalme has also previously suited up for the Pachanga Diliman and the Global Football Club in the UFL before settling down with the JP Voltes Football Club.
Melliza, Felongo, Tacusalme along with other newcomers will make their Azkals debut during the national team’s friendly match against the Perth Glory Football Club of Australia on Tuesday at the Quirino Stadium in Bantay, Ilocos Sur.
The Philippines has been chosen to host the AFF Suzuki Cup this year, set to be held from Nov. 19 to 26 in two venues – the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan and the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila./
PN