A prominent football icon in the country has been invited to play a key role in assembling and running a football team that will compete in the upcoming season of the Philippines Football League.
The offer is yet to be made official, meaning the contract is still being worked out but this early, this individual is a good addition to the squad, among the 15 clubs that have officially registered and accepted to compete in the domestic league.
He brings more than a decade of experience of handling a professional team and the many challenges that come with the responsibility. More importantly, his love and passion for the sport remain the same.
Just hoping that he gets to sign the contract soon.
Speaking of contracts, the past few days saw a flurry of signings, movements and transfers of players to clubs set to see action in the domestic leagues. Tournament favorites Kaya FC Iloilo is among the clubs which saw its lineup, practically its starting 11, decimated by the departure of key players. Some clubs, too, were active in signing additions that played for leagues abroad. There were also several players that did the reverse, coming home to the country after several years playing outside the country. One of these players is Kevin Ingreso.
The Azkals’ midfielder and former Sri Pahang FC mainstay in the Malaysia Super League is coming back after several years lacing his boots overseas. He said he is very excited and happy that he was given an opportunity to play before local fans and his family, his wife and two kids. Both of his parents are based in Germany.
“I feel that it was time for my family and myself to come back to the Philippines,” he said.
Ingreso was barely in his 20s when he first came to the country and played for the national team and Ceres Negros FC in the old domestic league. Now in his early 30s, Ingreso says he will bring his experience and high football IQ to Taguig FC.
“The opportunity came up with the new club and I’m happy to start this project and move forward,” he added.
Taguig FC held its first team scrimmage and open tryouts last Tuesday. The practice gave a glimpse of who are already signed by the team and several more trying to secure a spot in the squad. Aside from Ingreso, several familiar faces showed up at the BGC Turf, including a few foreign players, who were part of the erstwhile big clubs in the old United Football League, the predecessor of the PFL.
In a way, the domestic league is some sort of opportunity to come back home, restart a career or create a new one for players, coaches and even icons who have nothing more to prove, their legacy and stature secured, and yet they are on a mission to have another go at the sport they love. And I wish them all well, on and off the pitch and may the football gods be on their sides in their quest for success and fulfilment.
Speaking of comebacks, I, too, had the opportunity to dwell on this matter after eluding something for more than 30 years. For people I mentioned above, it was on the football pitch. For me, the comeback was simply going back to Mendiola to see the Drummer by the Flagpole, the chapel and the now unfamiliar grounds, literally, of my alma mater.
What does it really mean to be an alumni? For some people, this question may require a full dissertation of sorts. Others will simply tell you that it is simple: you are a graduate of a school or an educational institution. Answers may be different. Wikipedia says “alumni are former students or graduates of a school, college or a university.”
Last week, The Designated Kit Man was able to attend the 2024 Grand Alumni Homecoming of San Beda University. It was my first time attending as an alumni of my alma mater which was quite a long time considering that I graduated from college in the early 90s.
Together with my classmates, James, Bert, Resty, Patrinel and Raymund plus other Bedans, who came before me such as Manong Winston, Ares, Toby, Aris and Mars, we had a good time. Which made me realize that being an alumnus simply means the perfect excuse to be with friends, brothers even, who, in their little ways, had helped me overcome the challenges of Existentialism, Statistics and the manifestations of the absurd during a very crucial time in my life. It is also the perfect reason to come back next year.
On a personal note, the people behind the Bedan Response for the Development in Sports or B-RED will join us this coming Sunday, February 12, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. Ryu Policarpio, Jiboy Cabochan, Clint Erestain and Red Lions Team Manager Jude Roque will expound on the project that aims to support all student athletes representing San Beda University and even when their playing days are over.
Aerial voyager-turned politician Vergel Meneses will also be present in the show.
Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!
For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at [email protected] or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat