3 Davao de Oro footballers invited to Azkals training pool

The call-up is part of the Azkals' preparation for the 2022 AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup.

Davao de Oro natives Arnel Amita, Pocholo Bugas, and Eric Giganto were all invited to the training camp.

Earlier,  Nabunturan, Davao de Oro football star Bugas made it to the 26-man roster of the Philippine men's U23 lineup set to compete at the AFF U23 Championship in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, last February.

The team faced Timor Leste, Cambodia, and Brunei Darussalam early this year.

Before making it to the roster of the Azkals, Bugas was part of the starting 11 of United City Football Club (UCFC) in its game against Kawasaki Frontale of Japan on July 5, 2021, at the Lokomotive stadium in Uzbekistan.

Bugas, who has yet to play football in college, played well in his first international professional football match in the ongoing Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League 2021.

However, despite his steady play, UCFC fell to Frontale 2-0. Bugas, the UAAP's most valuable player while playing for Far Eastern University-Diliman High School, is proud and happy to be part of the UCFC's international campaign.

Bugas is one of the top players at FEU in high school and has also helped the school win many UAAP junior varsity football crowns. After his high school football career, Bugas made headlines when he decided to play professionally instead of going straight to college football last year.

As one of the youngest members of UCFC, one of the top football teams in the Philippines, Bugas is also happy to be given a chance to play for the professional football team.

“It’s tough yet challenging, but I’m thankful,” Bugas said. (Romeo Braceros Jr.)