Austin Basconcillo had long awaited the chance to don the University of the Philippines’ colors in UAAP Men’s Football after leaving the Eagles’ nest.
The then-18-year-old played a crucial role in the Ateneo Blue Eagles starting Season 82 well and maintaining momentum despite defeats. The young player showed significant potential for college, given the right system and time.
However, Basconcillo’s football career, along with the rest of the world, came to a screeching halt when the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
In October 2022, just as things seemed to be clearing up and with the return of UAAP Football on the horizon, the forward suffered an emotionally wrenching ACL injury.
“Nung una parang mahirap siyang sikmurain na ako ma-iinjure nang ganoong kalala. Hindi ko masikmura talaga nung time na ‘yun,” the 22-year-old striker recalled. “So, nung na-diagnose na ACL, hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala. Pero nung November nalaman ko na ACL na pala, do’n na rin ako nagpa-surgery.
“It is rather difficult because it is more of a mental challenge kasi ‘yung physical — aminin ko, kaya ko ‘yung physical ‘eh. Pero it’s more of mental siya; mahirap siya.”
Austin, also the younger brother of former Fighting Maroon Darwin, witnessed his elder sibling and the rest of the squad reaching heights in the UAAP. It was hard for him to see the Season 85 iteration of the team struggle and ultimately miss the Final Four for the first time since Season 73.
However, he took it in a different light.
“Hindi naman sa na-down ako. I took it more as motivation, more drive na makabalik and to be able to contribute to the team. Yun naman ang motto ng UP eh, para sa bayan, and ito ‘yung balik ko sa kanila,” Basconcillo shared.
Fast forward to the Fighting Maroons’ first match of Season 86, the team showed attacking intent that may have been missing much of the previous year but struggled to find the final connection for goals.
UP could have leveled the match in the 60th minute with Francis Tacardon, but for newly installed head coach Popoy Clarino, the scoreline could have been better for the home side.
Clarino brought Basconcillo in just a minute after Jan Ceena Donato to make things happen. And indeed, he did.
After a massive clearance from the backline, Francis Tacardon found Ramil Bation III with plenty of space from the right flank. The rookie winger headed it into the goal, and Basconcillo was there for another tap of the head to secure insurance.
“Malalim ‘yung hugot ko this season eh: from last season na not one of our best runs, tapos we ended up not going into the Top Four. Then, we lost our brother Yoro [Sangare],” he said.
Finally getting the long-awaited opportunity to wear the UP colors and contribute to the squad, scoring that breakthrough collegiate goal was special for Basconcillo.
“It really means a lot to me. It might not be a spectacular goal pero para ‘yun kay Yoro at para ‘yun sa bayan.”
