During De La Salle University’s dramatic 2-1 win over arch-rival Ateneo de Manila University last Sunday in the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Football Tournament, there was one interested spectator at the UP Diliman Football Field.
Stephan Schrock, who represented the Philippine Azkals 57 times and produced six goals and nine assists, was watching the action in the venue’s grandstand. He witnessed the fiercest rivalry at the collegiate level produce a memorable match that saw La Salle defender Stephen Del Rosario score the winner in the 90+8 minute.
“Actually, it’s my first time. We’re preparing with ADT for the SEA Games and obviously we would want to make sure that no one will be left out with scouting. Obviously, it’s a good event also to come in, enjoy, and connect with the local football leagues,” said the former Ceres-Negros Football Club stalwart.
There was at least one player on the pitch who Schrock knew very well. Dov Carino, who scored two goals while representing the ADT in the Philippines Football League, was a starter for the Blue Eagles and he finished the game.
Obviously, there were also a lot of young standouts on show and the four-time PFL winner has been taking note of those whom he thinks can go up to the next level.
“There’s a couple of them. I don’t want to mention names but we obviously follow everything on TV, on the livestreams if ever that is possible for us. We just wanna make sure and get a feeling for them on the ground also,” said Schrock.
For now, though, the man who captained the country in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup will take on a coaching role with the Azkals in their Middle East camp this week. He will help new coach Barae Jrondi and his people adjust to their new surroundings and the players at their disposal.
It may be weird to not see him play for the country but he is doing the next best thing after it.
“I’ll definitely help on the ground, on the pitch because the coaching staff is quite new. So to introduce the players, it’s a very short period of time before the first game,” Schrock said.
“So (I’ll be) helping identify the players’ positions, helping (them) to get to know the players right from the start so that we have, hopefully, a good game against Kuwait.”
