Leo Gabriel Martin Maquiling (No. 8) during the Cesafi 2018 secondary football finals last November.
CDN PHOTO LITO TECSON
In every team in sports, there is that one player who could always be counted on to make a breakthrough.
Fortunately for Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, they have Leo Gabriel Martin Maquiling, who has been playing as a Magis Eagle since he was six years old and in Kinder 2.
The 18-year-old, who is often tasked as the team captain and whose lone goals gave Ateneo the Cesafi secondary football titles in 2016 and this year, said that he has learned a lot from the sport.
“Football has taught me a lot of things. The most important value I’ve learned is definitely discipline as I can apply it to other aspects of my life.”
Maquiling said that no one influenced him to play football, he just picked it because his Kinder teacher gave them a list of sports to join and football was the only choice on the list that had a picture.
“Football was my first sport and I think playing football brings out the best in me,” said the well-honed footballer who’ve played in all positions.
“I’ve played all positions. My first position was right wing or left wing then I played midfield then last man then right back or left back then striker.”
It is quite obvious that Maquiling is the most hardworking player on the pitch, always giving his all in every game even if he is nursing an injury.
All those hard work paid off as aside from being a topnotch local player, Maquiling was also picked for the national junior team several times.
“My most memorable moment is probably when I found out that I got into the Philippine team. I felt so happy because I’m part of the team and to represent the country with pride and honor is the best,” said Maquiling.
He first made it to the Philippine Under 13 in 2013 and played in Myanmar, then U14 in 2014 and played in Japan, U16 in 2015 and 2016 wherein they played in Cambodia, and this year he was picked for the U19 and saw action in Indonesia.
His other commendable achievements were being part of the IPagasa which hoisted the Singacup 2013 title wherein he was named as the Most Valuable Player; with Ateneo as Cesafi 2018 secondary football champions, wherein he not only bagged the MVP honors but was also the Golden Boot awardee; Pilipinas Cup 2012 champions and the YFL 2017 champion.
So with all these, how does he balance his being a student and a football player at the same time, Maquiling has this to say: “I honestly don’t think that I’m very good at that. However, I always try my best to put as much of myself into my studies as I do in football. I think what’s important isn’t necessarily excelling in both, but doing my best in both.”
It will come as no surprise then if the young booter has received several collegiate varsity scholarship offers from schools in Cebu and in Manila this early. “Yes, I’ve received offers. I’d rather not enumerate, though. I don’t want to jinx it.”
Although Maquiling cannot yet tell if he will stay in Cebu for college or go to Manila, one thing is sure “I will continue to play football in college.”
Maquiling will be a rare asset in whatever team he chooses as this is one player who sees every game as a very important one.
“I don’t think there’s a specific moment, but whenever we lose a game and I know that I wasn’t able to do much to contribute to the game, that’s pretty heartbreaking to me.”
With all the feathers in his cup, Maquiling hopes to someday play in a professional league and improve his skills more.