Fair Play: Pascual chases his dream
A YEAR ago, Joel Pascual rued an opportunity his son, Paolo, had to miss.
Fresh from being the No. 1 keeper of the RP U19 squad that got mangled in China, Paolo was invited to join the senior team—the Azkals—for a series of games in Taiwan.
Before that, Paolo was invited to join the training camp in November, the time Dan Palami and Des Bulpin laid the groundwork for the Azkals’ success.
Paolo had to turn them down, twice.
The last time was quite a big letdown.
After getting his school’s permission, he couldn’t get the OK from all his teachers so he had to turn Dan down.
When the Azkals changed football in the country in the last two months, Paolo, this time, didn’t wait for an invitation to rejoin the team.
Last Monday, Paolo and his dad Joel flew to Manila to join the open trials of the Azkals. In the first day, they had close to 50 aspirants.
It was down to 13 on Day 2.
Unlike last year, Paolo’s parents are now open to the possibility that their son will have to leave Cebu and forgo school should he be fortunate enough to be picked for the squad.
Why gamble education for a stint with the national team? Because an opportunity like this doesn’t come very often.
“Di bitaw na mudagan ang San Carlos,” I told Joel one time when he told me of Paolo’s plans.
Now is the best chance to play for the national team. Football in this country is no longer the same and for guys who have the talent, the time for “what-ifs” is over.
If we’ve got kababayans flying over from Europe to join the trials, why not take that risk?
So far, the Pascuals’ gamble is paying off.
When I asked Dan via text message if Paolo made the cut, he replied, “He is now in the pool.”
I wanted to confirm whether it’s the U23 or the senior pool but I wasn’t able to since
I had a scratchy connection when I called The Manager.
But whether it’s the U23 or the senior pool (or even both?), I hope Paolo gets to chase the dream.
SEAG. By the way, with all the hoopla over the Feb. 9 game, I think it is being overlooked that we are preparing for the Southeast Asian Games, this early.
Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Ritchie Garcia said he wants SEAG-bound players to prepare as early as Jan. 15 and I think football is the first team that heeded his call.
I remember back in 2005, the last time we had a U23 team, the PFF was still conducting tryouts that summer and that was even considered an early preparation!
This year’s SEAG will be a fresh start for the PFF, having missed the 2007 and 2009 editions because, according to the PSC, the Philippines will only send teams or players who have a chance for a medal.
I think it will be safe to assume that this year’s team will have the most extensive preparation. The 2005 team trained in China as part of the PSC agreement with the country but this year, the PFF has offers to train in three middle east countries, as well as Germany.
Free of charge.
Wow. I can’t wait for the SEA Games.
But first, there’s Feb. 9 of course.
Fresh from being the No. 1 keeper of the RP U19 squad that got mangled in China, Paolo was invited to join the senior team—the Azkals—for a series of games in Taiwan.
Before that, Paolo was invited to join the training camp in November, the time Dan Palami and Des Bulpin laid the groundwork for the Azkals’ success.
Paolo had to turn them down, twice.
The last time was quite a big letdown.
After getting his school’s permission, he couldn’t get the OK from all his teachers so he had to turn Dan down.
When the Azkals changed football in the country in the last two months, Paolo, this time, didn’t wait for an invitation to rejoin the team.
Last Monday, Paolo and his dad Joel flew to Manila to join the open trials of the Azkals. In the first day, they had close to 50 aspirants.
It was down to 13 on Day 2.
Unlike last year, Paolo’s parents are now open to the possibility that their son will have to leave Cebu and forgo school should he be fortunate enough to be picked for the squad.
Why gamble education for a stint with the national team? Because an opportunity like this doesn’t come very often.
“Di bitaw na mudagan ang San Carlos,” I told Joel one time when he told me of Paolo’s plans.
Now is the best chance to play for the national team. Football in this country is no longer the same and for guys who have the talent, the time for “what-ifs” is over.
If we’ve got kababayans flying over from Europe to join the trials, why not take that risk?
So far, the Pascuals’ gamble is paying off.
When I asked Dan via text message if Paolo made the cut, he replied, “He is now in the pool.”
I wanted to confirm whether it’s the U23 or the senior pool but I wasn’t able to since
I had a scratchy connection when I called The Manager.
But whether it’s the U23 or the senior pool (or even both?), I hope Paolo gets to chase the dream.
SEAG. By the way, with all the hoopla over the Feb. 9 game, I think it is being overlooked that we are preparing for the Southeast Asian Games, this early.
Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Ritchie Garcia said he wants SEAG-bound players to prepare as early as Jan. 15 and I think football is the first team that heeded his call.
I remember back in 2005, the last time we had a U23 team, the PFF was still conducting tryouts that summer and that was even considered an early preparation!
This year’s SEAG will be a fresh start for the PFF, having missed the 2007 and 2009 editions because, according to the PSC, the Philippines will only send teams or players who have a chance for a medal.
I think it will be safe to assume that this year’s team will have the most extensive preparation. The 2005 team trained in China as part of the PSC agreement with the country but this year, the PFF has offers to train in three middle east countries, as well as Germany.
Free of charge.
Wow. I can’t wait for the SEA Games.
But first, there’s Feb. 9 of course.
Comments
I hope you continue writing and sharing your thoughts about the AZKALS. It's a very worthy cause. We need journalists like you, sir. But most especially don't ever change, even in "foul" weather.
Futbol is Filipino, Filipino is Futbol!
Mabuhay po kayo.
this coming Feb.23, 2012 AFC MEN'S PRE-OLYMPIC TOURNAMENT will start.PFF MADE A BIG MISTAKE FOR NOT INFORMING MR. DAN PALAMI EARLIER,THE DEADLINE for confirmation to join it was on 2nd week of May 2010, and PFF GAVE the letter to Palami only a month after.they will missed the opportunity to play in 2012 London Olympics.
this is a bigger tournament than SEAG AND ASIAN GAMES
BOB
Dan Palami is a god send. Philippine football has changed a lot because of him.