CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu Football Club (CFC) Gentle Giants revealed a restructured team roster in anticipation of the AFF Shopee Cup, combining young local talents with new foreign recruits as they prepare to compete against Brunei’s Kasuka FC on August 8.

The squad was formally introduced during a media event held on August 1 at the Dynamic Herb–Borromeo Sports Complex. This presentation comes as Cebu FC gears up not only for the regional tournament but also for the forthcoming Philippines Football League (PFL) season. The updated roster features a blend of returning players alongside new internationals from Australia, Canada, and Tajikistan.

Cebu FC parted ways with 14 players over the off-season, including notable names such as Rintaro Hama, Guytho Mijland, and Kainoa Bailey. The significant turnover presents a major test for head coach Glenn Ramos, who must rebuild team cohesion on a compressed timeline.

"The challenge is indeed substantial," Ramos acknowledged. "However, our local players already share a level of chemistry, particularly those who have worked with me before and can quickly grasp my coaching approach. Additionally, we’ve incorporated seven new foreign players."

Ramos noted that only roughly two weeks of training have been possible due to the gradual arrival of the newcomers, with some Australian players still en route during the media day.

"Honestly, our chemistry isn’t fully developed yet, but I remain optimistic," he said.

Retained foreign players include Marius Kore and Abou Sy, while the core local lineup features young prospects such as Daniel Gadia, Papu Corsame, Jeremiah Borlongan, E.R. Orale, Jacob Liao, Joshua Broce, Kaj Amirul, Jaime Rosquillo, and Leo Maquiling. Additionally, head coach Ramos’s son, Glenn Thomas, has rejoined the team following a short break.

"The majority of our squad is very young, with the youngest player just 19 years old," Ramos explained. "Several have represented the Philippine U-23 team. Our international acquisitions from Canada and Tajikistan further strengthen the squad. Despite the many new faces, I am confident in our competitiveness."

Due to time constraints, the team has prioritized match simulations and tactical drills over traditional training routines.

"If we had even a full month to prepare with a complete roster, we would be in a strong position," Ramos reflected. "But presently, our responsibility is clear. I’ve instructed the players to approach this tournament with professionalism and to challenge our opponents vigorously."

Cebu FC plans to announce its newly signed foreign players later this week. Ahead of their debut in the AFF Shopee Cup, the team will face Stallion Laguna FC in a warm-up match scheduled for August 4 in Manila, before traveling to Brunei for their opening game against Kasuka FC.