Emilio Montelibano wasn’t just defending a lead — he was defending tradition.
As De La Salle Zobel dismantled archrival Ateneo de Manila University, 3-0, in the UAAP Season 87 Boys’ High School Football Tournament last Saturday, the Grade 12 center-back stood as a symbol of the Junior Booters’ hunger to conquer the Blue Eagles.
With La Salle already up by two goals, Montelibano fended off Ateneo captain James del Valle and made sure to let him know about it — drawing jeers from the Blue Eagles’ supporters at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
For the Grade 12 defender, it was simply his way of expressing the passion he carries every time he steps onto the pitch for the Junior Booters.
“That’s just how I am,” Montelibano said. “Since I was younger, I always loved to show I really want it and I’m really passionate about football. Even with all these other boys, I know that you can be one of the less gifted, but for me, it’s about showing them that it’s not all about skill — it’s all about the love for the game.
“So you got to show your passion and show that we actually wanted it because that’s how it is this season. Everybody really wants it, especially now since there are more teams coming in.”
Having played football since fourth grade, Montelibano has been part of the DLSZ system longer than most of his teammates.
Now, as a senior, he takes pride in guiding the younger players while reminding them of the responsibility that comes with wearing the La Salle colors.
“I started playing football in grade school, in grade four, so I’ve been here the longest. For all these new boys coming in, I also teach them na it’s an honor to be part of La Salle. Instead of doing the wrong things on the pitch and off the pitch, you have to do the right things because you’re holding the school’s name at all times.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media TeamFootball runs deep in Montelibano’s family.
His older siblings — Miguel, Jose, Alfonso, Christina, and Isabel — all played for La Salle at the collegiate level.
His younger brother, Lucas, is also part of the DLSZ football program.
Carrying on the family tradition comes with its own set of pressures, but the young center-back embraces the challenge.
“Honestly, continuing the legacy of my brothers and sisters, it’s really heavy for me, especially being one of the youngest,” he admitted.
“I also honor my last name and the things it holds, especially on the pitch and off the pitch. So I tell myself to honor that and make sure it’s seen in the right way by everyone outside the pitch — as well as for my little brother, so I need to set an example.”
Despite his family’s long history with the sport, Montelibano insists there was never any pressure from his older siblings to follow in their footsteps. Instead, they encouraged him to carve his own path.
“There was no pressure from my kuyas. Yeah, we give each other advice, but honestly, they always tell me not to mind what they’ve done in the past. They want me to be my own person and make a name for myself, not just continue theirs — because that’s how it really is naman.”
Like many young footballers, Montelibano dreams of taking his game to the next level. He feels determined to build a career in the sport he loves while also taking pride in the growing talent pool of local players who are helping elevate Philippine football.
“I really put my focus on football because that’s what I’ve been doing since I was a young boy, and that’s what I want to do when I get older,” he said. “My goal is to grow as one of the Philippines’ best players because all these boys are Philippine-based, and you can see that they are all really gifted, especially all the other boys in the other teams.
“So I really want to grow with Philippine football because that’s where the future is for this country.”
For Montelibano, the journey is just beginning, but his passion, determination, and deep connection to the sport make it clear — his football story is far from over.
