National team skipper Chieffy Caligdong is staying in the Philippines, after all.
Earlier rumored set to migrate to the United States with his family after his wife got an offer to work as a nurse, Caligdong ended uncertainties regarding his future by signing with Green Archers Globe in the United Football League.
Caligdong’s joining the Archers looked imminent in the middle of last year when the former Air Force winger was named sports ambassador by Globe Telecom, the main sponsor of Archers.
But Caligdong withheld his decision as he waited for his request to be discharged from the Philippine Air Force last Dec. 1.
The Azkals were also in the thick of preparations for the Suzuki Cup and Caligdong said he wanted to focus on the tournament first.
“Chieffy and his family will stay in the Philippines and he will play for Archers,” said a source close to the player, who scored the only goal in the 1-0 win over Vietnam in the Suzuki Cup that helped the Azkals reach the semifinals for the second straight time.