Six Negros Occidental-based players are leaving for Manila Sunday to join the try-outs for the national football team that will see action in the Asian Challenge Cup in May.

National coach Norman Fegidero Jr. said West Negros University standouts Lemuel Unabia, Robert Cañedo Jr., Joven Bedic and Joel Ballo-Allo are participating in the workouts together with University of St. La Salle players Floriano Pasilan Jr. and Arnie Pasinabo

Among the six, Pasinabo is the only player with international experience in the senior level, having played as a substitute against Myanmar during the ASEAN Football Championships in Bangkok last year.

Pasilan, Unabia, Cañedo and Pasinabo are from San Carlos City, while Ballo-Allo hails from Bacolod. Bedic, who made heads turn as a 15-year-old playing for Iloilo in the National Under-19 Championships three years ago, is from Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo.

Also a threat from long-range, Cañedo is an attacking midfielder who can also play striker. Pasilan, Most Valuable Player of the 2006 Provincial Men’s Open, is a quick striker whose pace has allowed him to score on counter-attacks.

Although lacking in ceiling as a central defender, Ballo-Allo has earned raves for his timing and leadership. He was adjudged best defender when Negros won the 2006 national title in Iloilo City.

Standing 6-2, Unabia, a former striker, has been proving himself as a defender, playing a key role in WNU’s successful NOPSSCEA title defense.

Fegidero yesterday reiterated his call for commitment from players aspiring to claim a spot in his squad that will compete against Bhutan, Brunei and defending Tajikistan.

The week-long workouts will start Monday at the Philsports pitch in Pasig. *CPT

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