When Jumong Amita takes the pitch in the upcoming UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament, he will do so in colors that feel unfamiliar to his family’s storied collegiate legacy.
The highly touted midfielder is officially trading the green and gold of Far Eastern University — a program his surname has been synonymous with for the past decade — for the maroon of the University of the Philippines.
Confirming the transfer to Tiebreaker Times, the Season 88 UAAP boys’ football gold medalist from FEU-Diliman said his decision to move to UP was driven by his belief that the state university will help him maximize his potential both on and off the pitch.
“Maglalaro na po ako para sa University of the Philippines,” said the 19-year-old standout. “Ang tumulak sa akin na piliin ang UP ay dahil mas nakita ko ang potential ko bilang isang athlete.
“Naniniwala ako na mas malaki ang maibibigay nitong oportunidad para sa aking pag-aaral, paglalaro, at personal na pag-unlad.”
Seeing an Amita suit up in the UAAP without wearing FEU colors will take some getting used to.
The under-19 national team midfielder comes from a family of 11 from Maco, Davao de Oro (formerly Compostela Valley). Two of his siblings, Arnel and Ace, won championships with FEU in both the high school and collegiate divisions, while his sisters, Jenelyn and Analou, also represented the Lady Tamaraws.
Although FEU will always hold a special place in the family’s heart — just as the Amita name is forever etched in the Morayta-based program’s rich football tradition — Jumong said his siblings fully supported his decision to begin a new chapter in Diliman.
“Noong sinabi ko sa pamilya ko na lilipat ako sa UP, buong puso nila akong sinuportahan,” he said. “Ang sabi nila, ang mahalaga ay pagbutihin ko ang aking pag-aaral, galingan ko sa paglalaro, at manatili akong mabuting tao.
“Ang mga kapatid kong naglaro at nagtapos sa FEU ay sina Ate Jenelyn Amita, Ate Analou Amita, Kuya Arnel ‘Nano’ Amita, at Kuya Ace Amita. Lahat sila ay sumuporta sa aking desisyon. Sinabi nila na kung saan ako mas magiging masaya at kung ano ang makakabuti sa aking kinabukasan, naroon ang kanilang suporta. Lagi silang handang samahan at suportahan ako sa pagtupad ng aking mga pangarap.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Stepping outside one’s comfort zone is never easy, especially for a young athlete. For Amita, it means leaving behind the comfort of a family legacy in Morayta and embracing the challenge of carving out his own identity in Diliman.
Fortunately, he will not be making that journey alone.
Fellow Season 88 high school champion Jacob Keleghan also committed to UP earlier this offseason, giving the Fighting Maroons another accomplished recruit from the Baby Tamaraws. Together, they hope to follow in the footsteps of Macky Tobias, Orlan Togores, John Antonio, Ivan Almodal, and Charles Lobitaña — former FEU-D standouts who successfully carried their winning pedigree into the UP program.
“Naging maayos ang proseso ng aking paglipat,” he said. “May mga taong kumausap at gumabay sa akin tungkol sa oportunidad sa UP. Pinag-isipan ko ito nang mabuti kasama ang aking pamilya bago ako tuluyang nagdesisyon na lumipat.
“Excited ako na magiging magkakampi ulit kami ni Keleghan dahil magkakilala na kami at alam na namin kung paano maglaro ang isa’t isa. Maliban sa kanya, kilala ko rin si Kuya Charles Lobitaña, na galing din sa FEU-D.”
Winning has become second nature to Amita, who capped a decorated high school career at FEU-Diliman with two UAAP championships.
The collegiate game, however, presents an entirely different challenge. The competition is faster, more physical, and played before larger, more passionate crowds.
Rather than being intimidated, Amita is embracing the challenge. He hopes to translate the winning mentality he developed as a Baby Tamaraw into continued success with the Fighting Maroons.
“Nagkaroon ako ng tatlong taon na magkampeon sa FEU-D, at malaking bahagi iyon ng aking paghubog bilang isang atleta,” he said.
“May pressure siyempre, lalo na dahil defending champion ang UP, pero mas tinitingnan ko ito bilang motivation. Gagawin ko ang lahat ng makakaya ko upang makatulong sa team at patuloy na pagbutihin ang aking laro. Ang focus ko ay magtrabaho nang mabuti at mag-contribute sa tagumpay ng koponan.”
