The goal-oriented

MANILA, Philippines - It isn’t all about the Azkals. As college football season kicks off, Young Star looks beyond the baseline at some UAAP-playing boys and girls who may make attention to their game a goal we’d actually like to meet.

Philippine football has driven what has predominantly been a basketball-and boxing-crazed nation into the throes of full-on passion.

This isn’t the first time the Philippines gave considerable attention to football, though. As early as 1913, football was recognized as the most popular sport in the country, following the colonization of the Spaniards. In the same year, the country organized the first international football match in Asia. Held in Manila, the Philippine team beat their Chinese counterparts 2-1.

In the ’80s, football took the sidelines and American basketball infiltrated the country’s sports culture.

Never say die: UST senior player David Basa has learned to keep on going in his five years of playing football. Photos by KEVIN C. TATCO

But as proven by the Azkals’ victorious leap to international prominence following impressive wins during the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup and the growing audience in the UAAP college football games, all hope is not lost on the game.

We may even be in the midst of a football renaissance.

The Young Star team chats with UST’s David Basa (who is also a member of the Philippine National Team) and Marvin Barquin, and UP’s Miguel Roy and Gerardo Valmayor about their personal and team goals, passions, the future of Philippine football and girls.

YOUNG STAR: When did you start playing football?

DAVID BASA (21, defender): I started playing football first year high school, tapos tinuloy-tuloy ko na since nakita ko na rin yung potential ko sa football.

MARVIN BARQUIN (20, defender): I actually started in Grade 3, but I suffered from an injury, but I eventually continued playing anyway. Naki-gaya lang ako sa kuya ko.

MIGUEL ROY (20, defender): Yung first football na nahawakan ko was when I was in Grade 2, then I just kept playing.

GERARDO VALMAYOR (18, striker): Grade 3. I was motivated because members of my family play football as well. My lolo was a goalkeeper.

What are your goals after finishing college?

BASA: I plan on working, or taking up culinary arts.

BARQUIN: I plan on working in the field of electronic communications engineering.

Viva Santo Tomas: UST booter Marvin Barquin says his role as an experienced player is to lift the spirit of his teammates.

ROY: I come from a political family and I plan to become a board member someday to help na palakihin ang football in the Philippines.

VALMAYOR: I come from a political family as well. My dad also supports football in the province and I want to help him do that by promoting more tournaments and providing football equipment.

What about goals you’ve met in your game?

BASA: Never say die. I always try to do the best I can despite my weaknesses.

BARQUIN: Humility.

ROY: I try to give 100-percent effort, even in drills. It’s also not just about football. Kahit simpleng task, tina-try kong gawin pa rin, kahit mukhang imposible siya. I also learned to not expect people to do everything for you. Wag na maghintay na lahat bibigay sayo. Gawan mo ng paraan.

VALMAYOR: I learned how to be sensitive to my teammates’ needs and how important it is to try and get along with them.

How can we improve Philippine football?

BASA: Publicity. Kailangan ma-televise para mas makilala yung mga players, at para mas madaming sponsorship. This provides an incentive for the players. It motivates them to take football seriously.

BARQUIN: There should be awareness and encouragement to play football at an early age. When you start at an older age, it gets harder for you to develop the skills needed to play well. Like in Japan, for example, football players are trained at a very early age. Their high school players could probably beat players of the collegiate level in the Philippines.

ROY: Dapat tine-televise, and also financial support as well. We (actually) pay for our own jerseys and shoes.

VALMAYOR: The PFF (Philippine Football Federation) should provide financial support to encourage people to play.

Does playing football help in scoring with the girls?

BASA: Mahirap sabihin eh. Depende rin sa player.

BARQUIN: Mas madali kung nasa basketball team ka. (Laughs)

UP Fight: UP Maroons Roy and freshman Gerardo Valmayor teamed up for their winning goal during their season debut.

ROY: Nasa personality yan ng player.

VALMAYOR: Hard to say, but it definitely boosts your confidence.

What are your other hobbies?

BASA: I also like playing basketball, cooking and drawing.

BARQUIN: Basketball as well. I also like computer games like DOTA and other Facebook games.

ROY: Mixed martial arts, Frisbee, some videos, running

VALMAYOR: Pahinga. Training gets hectic and all I want to do is rest after.

Footballer favorites — players and team?

BASA: Steven Gerrard. My favorite team would have to be Liverpool. I was so impressed with their game against AC Milan back in 2004.

BARQUIN: Ronaldinho. He’s proven to be an effective team player. As for football clubs, I like Barcelona.

Rookie of the year?: The 5’11” booter could be the next big thing in UAAP football.

ROY: Favorite club, Real Madrid; favorite player, Zinedine Zidane.

VALMAYOR: I like Real Madrid too. My favorite player is Leo Messi.

What are your goals for UAAP this season?

BASA: Hopefully, we reach the championship.

BARQUIN: We’re taking it one at a time. As of now, we’re just focusing on the next game, but we’re not ruling out the championship.

ROY: Championship. We were champions in 2008, and since then we’ve sacrificed a lot. We also want to improve our game to achieve that championship. I also want to be the best defender worthy of the MVP title.

VALMAYOR: I want to show everyone what I have. Play now, get awards later.

* * *

Special thanks to UST booters coach Marjo Allado and UP booters coach Andres Gonzales