University of the Philippines trio Francis Tacardon, Ramil Bation III, and Marc Tobias had a week to savor.
Not only did they play key roles in leading the Fighting Maroons to a 3-1 victory over the De La Salle Green Booters last Sunday in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Football Tournament, they also had the privilege of being called up to the Philippine Men’s National Football Team sessions under new coach Tom Saintfiet.
Indeed, there are instances when the good times keep on rolling and this was one of those for Tacardon, Bation, and Tobias.
“Syempre, it’s an honor,” said Tacardon. “When I got the invitation, I couldn’t believe it. I was overwhelmed. But it was a really great experience and I’m ready to share it with my teammates. I hope it’s not the last. I’ll keep working para magtuloy tuloy yun.
“From that training I saw how it really was at the professional level. It’s really different from collegiate level but you know the smallest details pinapansin talaga dun they’re really strict about it. I hope madadala yun dito sa UAAP.”
Training with the national team while being a student-athlete in the UAAP is a tough task. Players must find a way to balance their studies, their duties for their school teams, and taking part in national team training sessions.
If ever the trio felt tired or burned out from juggling all three, it was not apparent when they faced the Green Booters. Despite being down a goal, UP managed to turn things around against La Salle, especially in the second half.
Bation’s free kick late in the 77th minute was the turning point and it demonstrated why the new powers-that-be of the Men’s National Team wanted to have a look at him.
“Si Ramil, siya talaga yung free kick taker namin. During pre-season trainings namin, nakikita naming siya sumisipa ng free kicks. Nag-e-extra ba. Napansin naming na ang galing nito sumipa. Every game siya talaga ang sisipa sa amin pag ganung distance kasi praktisado siya,” said Tobias.
“Di ko nga inexpect na mag-go-goal yun eh,” said Bation.
“Every win is very important, lalo na for our momentum coming from a loss,” said Tacardon. “I think it’s very important that we regain our momentum back, back tour winning ways especially La Salle that has been doing very very well the momentum is with them being top one and having two straight wins.
“But kudos to La Salle. They really gave us a very hard game. Speechless, with the way the boys played and how La Salle played. Just lucky that we ended up with a win.”
Getting called up by the national team in any sport is always a privilege. Not everyone has the chance to play for their countries and to be trusted to do so means that there is something that sets you apart from the rest.
It remains to be seen if the three Fighting Maroons standouts will be in the final squad for the nationals’ upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Iraq. What’s important is that they gave it their best shot.
“Pasasalamat ako dahil marami ako natutunan and experience din,” said Bation.
“Sobrang blessed at honored na ma-scout ni Coach Tom (Saintfiet), yung bagong coach. Sa 5-6 days naming na pag-train dun, maraming natutunan and naging (dagdag) kumpyansa ba,” said Tobias.
