Defending a UAAP title is always serious business, and it is no different for the University of the Philippines men’s football team. That is why the program has recruited skilled and talented players to fill in the void left by Niño Muros, Vince Aguilar, Carlos Monfort, and Feb Baya.
In the build up to the UAAP, the reigning champions participated in several tournaments to achieve cohesion as a team and fluidity on the field. Thus, they returned to Dumaguete and successfully kept their title in the Uni Games. The Fighting Maroons also fielded two teams in either divisions of the Ang Liga tilt.
In those tournaments, the potential of Claret alumnus Ray Sanciangco showed despite his rookie status.
It was therefore no surprise to see the first-year winger in the starting lineup in their season opener against the De La Salle University Green Archers in lieu of the injured JB Borlongan. For Sanciangco, however, it was a dream come true.
“Sa kin naman, I’ve been really working hard lang for the team and for myself kasi goal ko talagang makalaro ng UAAP sa first season ko,” he said proudly.
The Sports Science major wasted no time showing he can do on the pitch. Early in the second period of the match, Sanciangco made some great cuts into the attacking third and sent some nice crosses to striker Kintaro Miyagi, only for the latter was denied.
That was before UP head coach Anto Gonzales decided to field in the sophomore winger Borlongan into the match.
The rookie was pleased on his performance, but admitted he could have done better in his almost 80 minutes of play. “Siyempre kulang pa, I could have done more for the team,” the 19-year-old shared. “Siguro, yung how I connect with my teammates more para mas mabasa ko pa sila.”
Sanciangco also felt that there had been some jitters, playing in his first UAAP game. Nonetheless, he knows he has a strong support system in his squad.
He said, “Siyempre meron talagang pressure, pero andyan naman yung teammates ko. Lagi nila kong sinasabihan na nandyan lang sila palagi sa likod ko. Tiwala lang sa coach.”
With a frustrating result against the Green Archers, the forward and the rest of the defending champions move on to the next match with renewed outlook.
“Sa game naman namin, we did OK lang. May mga lapses lang kami minsan pero tingin ko kaya naman namin. We could have … kasi may pina-plan, pero may iba pa namang games.
The product of Claret School of Quezon City also shared, “Every game naman, ang mindset is kung ano yung lapses nung last game, gagawin lang namin yung better sa next game. Balik lang kami sa training.”
With Borlongan still not 100 percent, the former Pachanga Diliman FC youth standout is expected to remain in the starting XI. He thus vowed to keep working.
“Yun, trabaho lang, kung anong laging ginagawa ko.”
Sanciangco and the UP Fighting Maroons take a fresh start on Thursday, February 9, as they take on the University of the East Red Warriors at the Ateneo Moro Lorenzo Field.
