For the Amita family, Far Eastern University is more than an alma mater — it is a second home.
Jumong Amita, the family’s latest torchbearer, is now carving his own path in the UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Football Tournament.
The 18-year-old midfielder has been a key anchor for FEU-Diliman, helping the team secure the crucial twice-to-beat advantage with two matches remaining in the elimination round.
Carrying a name synonymous with football excellence at FEU, Jumong feels the pressure to perform. Yet that legacy is also a major advantage, as he draws on the experience of his older siblings — Nano, a champion at both the UAAP and professional levels, and Ace, a Season 87 champion and current standout for the Tamaraws.
“Labing-isa po kami,” explained the standout from Maco, Compostela Valley. “Si Kuya Nano, ‘yung dalawa kong Ate — galing din po sila sa FEU Women: sina Ate Ana Lou and Ate Jean. Halos lahat po kami, football players. Kaya gusto ko rin maglaro; nakita ko po ‘yun sa mga kapatid ko, kaya na-inspire ako.
“Sa pag-uusap naming tatlo ni Kuya Ace at ni Kuya Nano, nasabi lang po nila: hard work lang, sipag, at extra training. Bigay ang lahat, 100%. Binibigyan [ako ni Nano] ng advice paano maglaro kasi parehas po kami ng position. Malaking part po siya sa akin para madali ako maka-catch up sa game.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Jumong’s biggest moment in an FEU jersey came on March 11 against Claret School of Quezon City. Scoring in the 10th, 64th, and 76th minutes, he powered the Baby Tamaraws to a 4-1 victory, further cementing their top spot in the standings.
Despite joining the likes of teammate Enzo Panganiban, Argos Alingalan (University of Santo Tomas), Filbert Tacardon (Claret), and Jayden Gayoso (De La Salle Zobel) as one of the season’s hat-trick heroes, he stayed grounded, dedicating the achievement to his team.
“Actually, total fourth goal ko na po yung hat-trick, pero first hat-trick ko po,” said Amita.
“Sobrang happy ko po kasi nakuha ko yung hat-trick. ‘Di naman po ‘yun para sa akin; para sa team po namin ‘yun. Tsaka pinag-effortan po namin ‘yun lahat.”
As a proud member of the Amita family, only winning would suffice for FEU.
It is no surprise that his primary goal this season is helping the Baby Tamaraws reclaim the championship — not just for personal redemption, but to fulfill a promise to teammates who fell short last year against the Junior Golden Booters.
“Ano po, promise ko po sa mga seniors ko. Kasi last year po, sobrang sakit po nung pagkatalo namin,” he said.
“As a senior, 12 years nila nahawakan ang championship tapos na-break po namin yung ’12-peat’. Sobrang sakit po. And then sinabi po namin sa kanila: magba-bounce back kami, mas better pa, then ibigay po namin lahat-lahat every training and every game.”
