Post by Usapang Football on Sept 23, 2010 12:59:31 GMT 8
www.mb.com.ph/articles/258920/football-becomes-her
Football becomes her
By JASER A. MARASIGAN
May 25, 2010, 2:26pm
She is touted as the female David Beckham of the Philippines.
To think that she only tried out for the football team just to spend more time with her friends.
A few years later, Marielle Benitez is now the captain of the Women’s National Football Team and is one of the most recognizable names in Philippine football.
“I didn’t really know how I passed the tryouts. I had zero background in football. My friends and I just found an excuse to hang out after class because there’s football training. ‘Yun na ang gimik namin after school. I enjoyed it because all of my friends were there. Eventually, I began enjoying the sport,” recalls the 28-year-old skipper of her high school team.
WIN SOME, LOSE SOME
At 16 years old, Marielle held the distinction of being the youngest member of the RP Team.
“My parents initially thought that it was too much of a contact sport for a girl. But when they started watching my games and they saw how much I enjoyed it, they’ve been supportive since. The first time I was invited to play in Europe, my mom even went with me,” relates the Psychology and Marketing Management graduate from De La Salle University.
With three UAAP MVP titles, four UAAP championships, UAAP Athlete of the Year award, two top scorers, rookie of the year and best mid-fielder titles, Marielle’s UAAP stint is considered as one of the most successful in the league.
But the young athlete looks at it differently now.
“When I think about it now, parang nakakapagod pala ‘yung ginawa ko,’’ she smiles. “It may be described as successful because I was able to graduate with a double degree and had a memorable experience in the UAAP.”
But not everything about Marielle was about winning. She has had her share of losses too.
“I’ve been in three SEA Games and in the Asian qualifying. Akala mo ikaw na ang pinakamagaling dito, pero pag labas mo, marami ka pa pala kailangang matutunan in terms of skills and team strategy. I think the hardest and toughest game I’ve played against was Japan. Obviously because they were very much advance in skills. We lost 15-0. So the whole time we were just defending. That was a very good learning experience and exposure,” she recounts. In football, the Philippines ranks no. 4 among Southeast Asian countries.
Marielle initiated the sports program at the Philippine Women’s University (PWU) where she is currently the Sports Development and Physicial Education director.
“In a year, we were able to join WNCAA. There are certain sports wherein we do well, winning championships like futsal, women’s basketball, men’s volleyball in NCAA, some players are even members of futsal and RP football team. It’s interesting to see these young kids get involved in sports and do well in school at the same time. And I can relate to them,” says Marielle, who is also in the thick of her masteral studies in Education Management also at PWU.
RUSH, RUSH
Playing football allows Marielle to go all out and express herself on the football field.
“Every time I play for the country it gives you a certain adrenaline rush. It was instilled in me to enjoy the sport and that’s what I do, every time I play, I’m able to express myself. At the same time, I enjoy the people I play with.”
She sees herself playing for two more years, admitting that she is not ready to coach a team just yet.
“I don’t mind teaching in clinics and football camps but not yet to coach football. It entails a lot of time and you get emotionally attached to the players,” she says. During summers, Marielle holds a football camp for special children.
AN RP TEAM IN THE WORLD CUP?
Off the field, Marielle is a dancer for the Bayanihan and hosts the weekly sports magazine show “The Road to Johannesburg” on Studio 23. The FIFA World Cup happening in South, Africa next month will also be covered live on the 24-hour sports channel Balls starting June 11, and Marielle thinks it is a great opportunity for Filipinos to get to know more about the world’s No. 1 sport.
“The World Cup is something to aspire for. Everyone in the world plays football and it’s a sport that the Filipinos can do well in. There’s no height requirement and Filipinos are very agile and fast. I think it’s possible to see an RP team in the World Cup in the future. But of course it will take years because you have to have a really good grass roots program. Kids here only idolize those they see on TV, so as long as there is no professional football league that is visible to them, then it’s difficult for football to really spread out. Of course, you can’t really have a good football team without a stadium,” she explains.
Marielle advises that to do well in any sport, one just has to always remember to have fun and give his or her best.
“In any sport, once the fun and the passion are there, obstacles or any hardshipin training do not matter. Many kids now lose the fun out of playing, they get frustrated, especially if there’s a lot of pressure. But always remember to just have fun, always give your best, and you’ll always do well,” she ends.
Football becomes her
By JASER A. MARASIGAN
May 25, 2010, 2:26pm
She is touted as the female David Beckham of the Philippines.
To think that she only tried out for the football team just to spend more time with her friends.
A few years later, Marielle Benitez is now the captain of the Women’s National Football Team and is one of the most recognizable names in Philippine football.
“I didn’t really know how I passed the tryouts. I had zero background in football. My friends and I just found an excuse to hang out after class because there’s football training. ‘Yun na ang gimik namin after school. I enjoyed it because all of my friends were there. Eventually, I began enjoying the sport,” recalls the 28-year-old skipper of her high school team.
WIN SOME, LOSE SOME
At 16 years old, Marielle held the distinction of being the youngest member of the RP Team.
“My parents initially thought that it was too much of a contact sport for a girl. But when they started watching my games and they saw how much I enjoyed it, they’ve been supportive since. The first time I was invited to play in Europe, my mom even went with me,” relates the Psychology and Marketing Management graduate from De La Salle University.
With three UAAP MVP titles, four UAAP championships, UAAP Athlete of the Year award, two top scorers, rookie of the year and best mid-fielder titles, Marielle’s UAAP stint is considered as one of the most successful in the league.
But the young athlete looks at it differently now.
“When I think about it now, parang nakakapagod pala ‘yung ginawa ko,’’ she smiles. “It may be described as successful because I was able to graduate with a double degree and had a memorable experience in the UAAP.”
But not everything about Marielle was about winning. She has had her share of losses too.
“I’ve been in three SEA Games and in the Asian qualifying. Akala mo ikaw na ang pinakamagaling dito, pero pag labas mo, marami ka pa pala kailangang matutunan in terms of skills and team strategy. I think the hardest and toughest game I’ve played against was Japan. Obviously because they were very much advance in skills. We lost 15-0. So the whole time we were just defending. That was a very good learning experience and exposure,” she recounts. In football, the Philippines ranks no. 4 among Southeast Asian countries.
Marielle initiated the sports program at the Philippine Women’s University (PWU) where she is currently the Sports Development and Physicial Education director.
“In a year, we were able to join WNCAA. There are certain sports wherein we do well, winning championships like futsal, women’s basketball, men’s volleyball in NCAA, some players are even members of futsal and RP football team. It’s interesting to see these young kids get involved in sports and do well in school at the same time. And I can relate to them,” says Marielle, who is also in the thick of her masteral studies in Education Management also at PWU.
RUSH, RUSH
Playing football allows Marielle to go all out and express herself on the football field.
“Every time I play for the country it gives you a certain adrenaline rush. It was instilled in me to enjoy the sport and that’s what I do, every time I play, I’m able to express myself. At the same time, I enjoy the people I play with.”
She sees herself playing for two more years, admitting that she is not ready to coach a team just yet.
“I don’t mind teaching in clinics and football camps but not yet to coach football. It entails a lot of time and you get emotionally attached to the players,” she says. During summers, Marielle holds a football camp for special children.
AN RP TEAM IN THE WORLD CUP?
Off the field, Marielle is a dancer for the Bayanihan and hosts the weekly sports magazine show “The Road to Johannesburg” on Studio 23. The FIFA World Cup happening in South, Africa next month will also be covered live on the 24-hour sports channel Balls starting June 11, and Marielle thinks it is a great opportunity for Filipinos to get to know more about the world’s No. 1 sport.
“The World Cup is something to aspire for. Everyone in the world plays football and it’s a sport that the Filipinos can do well in. There’s no height requirement and Filipinos are very agile and fast. I think it’s possible to see an RP team in the World Cup in the future. But of course it will take years because you have to have a really good grass roots program. Kids here only idolize those they see on TV, so as long as there is no professional football league that is visible to them, then it’s difficult for football to really spread out. Of course, you can’t really have a good football team without a stadium,” she explains.
Marielle advises that to do well in any sport, one just has to always remember to have fun and give his or her best.
“In any sport, once the fun and the passion are there, obstacles or any hardshipin training do not matter. Many kids now lose the fun out of playing, they get frustrated, especially if there’s a lot of pressure. But always remember to just have fun, always give your best, and you’ll always do well,” she ends.