Loyola Meralco Sparks to take part in Indonesian tournament

This appears in the Thursday, September 5, 2013 edition of the Business Mirror.

Loyola to take part in Indonesian tournament

by rick olivares

The Loyola Meralco Sparks will be playing in the Indonesia International Tournament this coming September 21-25 in Sleman, Central Java, Indonesia.

Loyola is one of three foreign clubs participating in the eight-team tournament. Australian Central Coast Mariners and the Malaysian Under-23 team will be joining Indonesian clubs Persia Bandung, Arema Malang, Sriwijaya, Mitra Kukar, and Persepam Madura.

Loyola club president Randy Roxas said that they will use this tournament as part of their preparations for the upcoming United Football League season. "The competition is going to be tough but it will be a good test for our team and our new players."

The Sparks, second runners-up the last two seasons to champions Global and Stallion respectively, have reloaded for the new campaign. Gone are former standouts Byeong Jeong Yeol and brothers Jang Jo Won and Joo Won. The three Koreans have opted to serve their mandatory two-year military service in their home country. Their departure doesn't mean that defender Park Min Ho will be the only Korean left. Joining him is former Stallion forward Lee Joo Young. Also coming over are former Pachanga stalwarts Yves Ashime and Boyet Canedo.

Canedo is expected to occupy the midfield slot of Mark Hartmann who is now with Global.

The biggest makeover for the Sparks is in their backline. Ashime has been one of e best defenders in the UFL for the past several years. He is expected to partner with fellow Cameroonian Rodrigue Nembot who was a revelation last season after coming over from Union Internationale. Also playing in the back four are Roxy Dorlas and Park.

"The addition of Lee gives us another forward to play alongside Phil Younghusband while Freddy Gonzalez is still recuperating from his season-ending ACL injury," underscored Roxas. "Hopefully, we can add a few more pieces before the season starts."