By Robert Balajadia

31 of Guam’s top football talent will be departing to Saipan over the weekend for an exhibition game against the Saipan Varsity squad Saturday November 22, 1:30 pm Saipan time. The team will be headed by coach Angel Calugay along with offensive coach Joey Guerrero and defensive coach Milo Mapote.

The CNMI Football Association will be hosting the Guam footballers under president John Blanco. Coach Calugay and Blanco have both been trying to promote the sport within the region and keep the sport alive.

“Saipan has been trying to revive their varsity league and they want to make our visit an annual thing. It’s great for the adults and youth in Saipan to come out and see a live football game and we’re always happy to head out to Saipan to challenge our Northern brothers,” said head coach Calugay.

Calugay credits his former coach Harold Shiroma for the idea of traveling to face teams outside of Guam, who made it a point to take a Guam team to face off-island opponents every year.

Candido “Candy” Taman and Jose Castro lead the team practice with stretching and sprinting drills. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

“Our team has a good mesh with players from the Eagles, Angels, Raiders, Steelers and Islanders. It’s great to have all of these players come out since some people have to tend to other obligations and could not come,” added Calugay.

One of the biggest areas of the game that Guam will look to exploit is the talent they have at the skill positions with veteran quarterback Steve “SP” Phillips at the helm of the offense. Running backs Xavier Reyes and Mike Pangelinan will get the bulk of the carries for Guam while the wide receivers of Reginald Baylor and Ibrahim Mansaray will man the skies.

“Saipan has a much bigger team, they’ve got the Carolinian built guys. What they’re lacking is the experience and our experience is going to carry us. They are a driven bunch and will be determined to beat us,” said Calugay on what to expect from the Saipan team.

This will be team Guam’s second trip to Saipan under Calugay with majority of the team leaving Friday evening and are expecting to be back Sunday evening.

Complete Team Roster:

Guam American Football Assn.- Team Guahan

1 Reginald Baylor WR
2 Ibrahim Mansaray WR
3 Frank Fernandez RB
3 Steven Phillips QB
4 Gavin West DB
7 Justin Currie DB
8 Jeffrey Warfield DB
11 Corey Chinn QB
12 Xavier Reyes RB
13 Daray Davis TE
16 Ryan Wessling DB
20 Paul Francisco DE
21 Matt Jones LB
22 Keith Castro RB
22 Tyrone Taylor DT
27 Kelvin Cruz DE
28 Kevin Alvarez DE
29 Franklin Johnson DE
30 Henry Carriaga OG
31 Andy Fernandez LB
33 Justin Castro RB
35 Mike Pangelinan RB
35 Mike PangelinanJr. LB
44 Benny Manglona FB
55 Candido Taman OT
56 Jonathan Guerrero OC
60 Christopher Cruz OT
67 Mike Taumua OT
69 Jose D Castro LB
77 Jose G Castro OT
85 Joseph Quinata DT

PHOTO GALLERY:

Team Guahan gets into form with early practice drills. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Team Guahan loves practice, especially #44 Benny “Pumpy” Manglona. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Lineman Candido “Candy” Taman stops to think how he will dominate over the weekend exhibition against Saipan. (photo by Robert Balajadia)