CHOOKS-TO-GO will support the Philippine Azkals in the joint 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers set to be held from June 3-15, 2021 at the Suzhou Olympic Sports Centre in China.
It’s a reunion between the country’s top rotisserie chain and the national team as Chooks-to-Go, through its president Ronald Mascariñas, supported the team from 2016-18.
Moreover, Mascariñas and Azkals team manager Dan Palami have also worked together in 2016 when Chooks-to-Go supported the University of the Philippines Men’s Basketball Team in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
“We have been a staunch supporter of the Azkals since 2016. I’ve also experienced first-hand how generous of a sponsor Sir Ronald is. When the UP Men’s Basketball team was backed by the countries number one rotisserie, he took very good care of the team,” said Palami.
“We are hoping that me and Sir Ronald rekindle the magic we had a few years ago as it always leads to something positive,” he continued.
For Mascariñas, he is hoping that the Azkals rise above the challenges it has faced heading to the Qualifiers.
“We have heard about the challenges that have been stacked in front of the Azkals. But knowing the Philippine Football Federation, Dan, and Scott (Cooper), they know how to handle these things,” said Mascariñas.
“We want the Azkals to fully focus on the task at hand.”
The Philippines currently sits at third place in Group A of the joint Qualifiers with seven points on the table.
Syria is at pole position with 15 points followed by China at seven. Maldives is at fourth place while Guam remains pointless.
The Azkals are currently in Doha for a training camp and will head to China on the 31st.
The Philippines takes on Guam on June 3, China on June 9, and Maldives on June 15.
The top two teams in the pool will advance to the third round of the World Cup Qualifiers and the Asian Cup proper. The third and fourth placed squads will head to the Asian Cup qualifying third round while the last placed team will be placed in the Asian Cup qualifying play-off round.