Filipinas goalkeeper Inna Palacios hit two birds with one stone last Saturday.
Not only did the 2022 AFF Women’s Championship gold medalist witness the first-ever broadcast of UAAP Women’s Football Tournament matches on the Pilipinas Live app in Season 86.
She also tried her hand at commentating during University of the Philippines’ 1-0 win over University of Santo Tomas.
“First of all, it’s great news to all of us and [a] big milestone for women’s football having all the games in the elimination round [being] televised,” said Palacios, who shared insights along with former national team player Marielle Benitez-Javellana.
“It’s a great opportunity for not just the team’s playing, but good exposure for everyone to let them know what football is about and that women can play as well. So, I’m really, really happy that we are now on that next step,” she continued.
“Being here also, that’s another chance for us to share the game in a different perspective or on a different level.”
As a former De La Salle University standout, Palacios will have one eye on her past team’s journey in Season 86. However, as a commentator, one of the things she is adjusting to is being impartial.
There is always an adjustment process whenever a new role comes up. For Palacios, it was also important for her to also make sense for the ones tuning into the match.
“Yeah, I love playing. I think yung hard part is you have to be always neutral there, in your commentating and analyzing for two teams. You want to use the coverage as a default to educate into who’s watching it and through that,” she said.
“Hopefully, we get to do the job well.”
It is always nice to see current and former players take on new roles in local football. Football in the country has so much room to grow and the more ways people can get jobs in it, the better.
While Palacios has not called time on her playing career, being a commentator for UAAP matches has given her another shot at making the most out of her experience and intelligence in football.
There is still a long way to go for her in this new gig, but at least she has taken the first step.
“While we’re still playing, iba pa rin when you get to share it through words and through analyzing, for others through coaching. It’s about exploring the different avenues that we have in the football industry,” she said.
“It’s a different perspective from playing to now going outside, looking at the bigger picture, seeing the movements overall. It’s like I’m watching films when we are on national team duties. You really need to see how much they can push as a team as well as see the good things that they do.”
