Post by cjeagle on Feb 21, 2012 15:06:38 GMT 8
I think it is about time we add local players to the scouting forum. Here is a nice piece on one particularly well rounded potential Azkal, Gabriel
Borja:
Honor Roll: Gaby Borja is on a Roll
By J.Anne Gonzales and Miji Gonzales 2012-02-21 11:40:42
High school student Gaby Borja leads a double life, or make that triple, as proud footballer for the Azkals Under-21 team and Loyola Meralco Sparks FC. As if science fairs and exams at the Philippine Science High School aren’t enough challenge for this young prodigy. With UFL games lined up and college to think about, it’s a miracle that Gaby manages to maintain his tiptop condition on the pitch. And if you think that’s a lot to take in already—promise not to faint—college actually means attending med school. Someone’s hitting the books and the balls at the same time!
www.azkalsfootballteam.com
Manila Boy
Meet Gabriel Benito Borja or Gaby to close peers and family. Born in Manila and raised by Pinoy parents, we finally had our chance to ditch the foreign dictionaries and accents, and—before we heave a sigh of relief—instead, reach out for our encyclopedias (or in the modern sense, Google). At 17 years old, he’s mastered most of the sciences that the world has to offer, being a senior at the Philippine Science High School (PSHS), but that’s not all. Even back during his Ateneo Grade School days, he’s been committed to the football field as much as to his math books. We can only conclude that he has cultivated what most mortals would consider insanely infeasible, the art of prodigious multi tasking. It could also be that he’s the son of Zeus, but no, his dad’s name is Troy. With his right and left brain working in perfect harmony, getting him to easily soar through exams and the soccer fields, Gaby certainly possesses the traits and qualities that young football players should emulate.
If this is not convincing enough, try asking him about the Intel Science Fair.
Family Matters
While most Filipinos have developed the football appreciation when introduced in grade school PE or quite recently on account of the Azkals fame, Gaby was way ahead of the pack by starting out really early, even before he could spell photosynthesis. As early as 4 years old, Gaby has already met the acquaintance of the football, learned to play the sport and developed his lifelong passion for it. Lucky for him, his Uncle Chris Monfort, who would start the Ateneo Football Center, exposed him to this beautiful sport. Along with playmate and cousin Carlos Monfort, they battled out the fields together, conquering Ateneo grade school varsity and later on, the local clubs. Despite moving to PSHS, the cousins remain comrades in the sport, as Gaby is always made welcome in blue eagle territory for practice sessions, after all he does don that sparking orange jersey nowadays.
While many parents prod their kids to glorify school above other lesser activities, the Borja household practices a different mantra: support. His mom Ditas may not always watch all his games, but she constantly provides her support and encouragement through words and prayers.
Gaby gleefully quotes his mom, “It’s a miracle when it’s the weekend and we are not in a football field!”
After all, his dad Troy does not only accompany Gaby to his Manila-based games and practices. When Gaby started learning football, so did his dad, and when Gaby followed the path of playing for the national team, his dad took an interesting leap and became team manager of Agila FC. This gives Gaby not only a proud dad, but a competent in-house and post-game analysis—made better because it’s live and censor-free. Kidding aside, this has become their father-son routine, a more meaningful bonding session that ends with improvement, not argument.
“In football, you really have to be smart, and you have to analyze every game,” explains Gaby. “Since I was young, we would target a skill to develop each year, and all of that was part of improving my game.” With brains and support as significant components in the Borja family, Gaby’s well equipped with the tools to succeed, so don’t bother giving him a baseball bat for his birthday anymore.
Not to be forgotten, two other Borjas are also in the running for the football career. Younger brothers Luis and Marco from the Ateneo as well are just as promising in the sport (and in school) and in no time, can we expect another trio of brothers to rule the football arena, similar to the Hartmanns?
Nerds of the Same Feather
When asked about his childhood ambition, get ready for Gaby’s exhausting roster: doctor, engineer, entrepreneur and football player! That makes him an excellent fit at the Philippine Science High School, where he did mention that the syllabus includes three science subjects per year, not to mention math—all of which he enjoys—when he’s in school, of course.
“All in all, I’ve missed about 7 months of school in PSHS,” Gaby sheepishly narrates as if he were sent to the principal’s office (which would be an unlikely encounter).
Despite his recurring absences, Gaby has the blessing of his school and classmates to pursue this official truancy. His motto of “Studies first” is well known to all, and the Borja culture of familial support has extended to the school administration as well. Everyone has put on the united front to support and foster his extra curricular dreams rather than to hamper it.
The impression that his PSHS classmates are purely geeks has been wiped out of our consciousness as Gaby told us endearing stories of his classmates learning football (with cleats), playing in a band, and checking out NBA stats, in school, in real time.
“They’re very talented, and yes, nerds can play too,” he gushes with pride. While Gaby does manage to spend time in the Blue Eagle field with his old Atenean friends, his PSHS classmates are just as important to him.
Barks and Sparks
As early as first year high school, Gaby has already been playing for Loyola FC—way before it sparked Meralco’s interest in the football league.
“I already got to play in the UFL when I was in 2nd year high school for the Loyola FC,” recalls Gaby.
When it became Loyala Meralco FC, and orange became the new blue, that’s when the real training began with Gaby as the youngest player.
“We would practice every night,” according to Gaby. Despite the strenuous sessions, Gaby still manages to get up and face his teachers every morning—and yes, join the Intel Science Fair among other academic activities.
Gaby describes the orange team as “Committed to training and bears a professional atmosphere.” As for his kuyas, “I’m relishing the experience with the Phil and James Younghusband. I’m really learning a lot from them.”
Moving to the national team, Gaby’s adventures gather a longer list that involves more numbers, never mind since he likes the math: U-14, U-16, U-17, U-18, U-19, and U-21. Whenever there were tryouts, Gaby would just grab the opportunity, take his chances and savor each step (or number) as it brings him closer to his football dream.
Training with the national team is a bit different though, as most of his teammates belong to the same age group—making school and PS3 common topics of interest, among other juvenile pursuits. While the regular rigorous training sessions are definitely part of the routine, there are also training camps—like in Bacolod—that run for two straight months. It’s not all fun, of course—despite how enticing it does sound—but the company and experience make up for this long stint away from home.
While the roster is ever changing given the numerous under-something categories, Gaby has named Russel Pierson and Joseph San Martin from the Under-21 squad as peers he has gotten quite close to, aside from cousin Carlos.
As for the Azkals Senior team, aside from the Younghusband siblings, Gaby looks up to Lexton Moy for his skills, smarts and brilliant touches.
“A big part of football is intelligence,” asserts Gaby. And with the way your career is going, we believe you.
Crouching Tiger
Gaby has spent most of his life being trained and instructed by various coaches, from his varsity teams to clubs. Most have focused on direct football—involving long balls and less passes—which he compares with Under-21 Coach Zoran Dordevic’s strategy of possession football that requires more short and accurate passes. The latter’s style aims to keep possession of the ball and control the pace of the match. If you are a Barça fan, then this style of play is something you would call the tiki-taka. As a defensive midfielder, Gaby prefers the possession style as it is more defensive in nature; its slow tempo, shorter passing tactical style maximizes his role in retaining distribution near the defense.
“Coach imparts that mentality on the players (of keeping possession), and he can be very meticulous when it comes to playing,” Gaby notes. “You’ll really learn a lot from him as he’s a very ‘decorated’ man.”
First time acquaintances will easily recognize the Serbian coach with his introductory question: Are you a tiger or a chicken? Of course, Gaby here answered “Tiger,” but at the back of his mind, had he planned on retorting, “Eagle?”
Fast and the Future
Gaby believes in the Grassroots Program to help foster the future generation of Philippine football. Having grown up practically with a football as his playmate, he understands the need to develop the mastery and natural skill while young, which the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) provides a venue for with its grassroots program.
“We (Philippine Football) have a long way to go. With the grassroots program, football players are exposed to the sport and learn the ropes while still at a young age.”
While Gaby claims that he never played basketball on account of his height, he gives another reason for the football fervor, “The Filipinos are better suited for football than basketball. Football is more exciting and we could adapt to it easily.”
Aside from a barrage of football practice sessions and the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy, Gaby has also been busy with college, currently at the interview process for the INTARMED Program of the University of the Philippines. He did after all mention his plan of becoming a doctor, and the INTARMED provides the best academic venue for this.
As for football and med school, he will try to manage both. He has, after all, contended with the triple life—and additional lab coats and frogs for dissection on his checklist will not be that much of a difference. He’ll just need more bags.
Playing for the national team is another rare opportunity, and Gaby knows that well enough: “I will keep on playing and see where it takes me, since the Under-21 is doing well. I still have a lot to learn from the Coach, and so I will take my chances to get to play with the Azkals.”
It’s very impressive to hear a young Filipino with so much dedication for areas that will actually make an impact for our future. For someone that talented to give us this inspiration, you deserve not only a pat on a back, but one each time you wake up in the morning.
When asked what can he impart to the young go-getters, who like himself, will carve the name of Philippine football in the years to come, the answer is simple, “There’s always room for improvement. Stay grounded.”
And that is why Gaby is bound to soar.
With so many under-something squads playing for the national team, it can get slightly confusing. If you do find Gabriel Borja on the pitch, a scream of “E=mc2” might get his attention, though annoy the rest of the crowd. Here are some everyday facts that would make conversation easy and less controversial.
www.azkalsfootballteam.com/news.php?id=37
Borja:
Honor Roll: Gaby Borja is on a Roll
By J.Anne Gonzales and Miji Gonzales 2012-02-21 11:40:42
High school student Gaby Borja leads a double life, or make that triple, as proud footballer for the Azkals Under-21 team and Loyola Meralco Sparks FC. As if science fairs and exams at the Philippine Science High School aren’t enough challenge for this young prodigy. With UFL games lined up and college to think about, it’s a miracle that Gaby manages to maintain his tiptop condition on the pitch. And if you think that’s a lot to take in already—promise not to faint—college actually means attending med school. Someone’s hitting the books and the balls at the same time!
www.azkalsfootballteam.com
Manila Boy
Meet Gabriel Benito Borja or Gaby to close peers and family. Born in Manila and raised by Pinoy parents, we finally had our chance to ditch the foreign dictionaries and accents, and—before we heave a sigh of relief—instead, reach out for our encyclopedias (or in the modern sense, Google). At 17 years old, he’s mastered most of the sciences that the world has to offer, being a senior at the Philippine Science High School (PSHS), but that’s not all. Even back during his Ateneo Grade School days, he’s been committed to the football field as much as to his math books. We can only conclude that he has cultivated what most mortals would consider insanely infeasible, the art of prodigious multi tasking. It could also be that he’s the son of Zeus, but no, his dad’s name is Troy. With his right and left brain working in perfect harmony, getting him to easily soar through exams and the soccer fields, Gaby certainly possesses the traits and qualities that young football players should emulate.
If this is not convincing enough, try asking him about the Intel Science Fair.
Family Matters
While most Filipinos have developed the football appreciation when introduced in grade school PE or quite recently on account of the Azkals fame, Gaby was way ahead of the pack by starting out really early, even before he could spell photosynthesis. As early as 4 years old, Gaby has already met the acquaintance of the football, learned to play the sport and developed his lifelong passion for it. Lucky for him, his Uncle Chris Monfort, who would start the Ateneo Football Center, exposed him to this beautiful sport. Along with playmate and cousin Carlos Monfort, they battled out the fields together, conquering Ateneo grade school varsity and later on, the local clubs. Despite moving to PSHS, the cousins remain comrades in the sport, as Gaby is always made welcome in blue eagle territory for practice sessions, after all he does don that sparking orange jersey nowadays.
While many parents prod their kids to glorify school above other lesser activities, the Borja household practices a different mantra: support. His mom Ditas may not always watch all his games, but she constantly provides her support and encouragement through words and prayers.
Gaby gleefully quotes his mom, “It’s a miracle when it’s the weekend and we are not in a football field!”
After all, his dad Troy does not only accompany Gaby to his Manila-based games and practices. When Gaby started learning football, so did his dad, and when Gaby followed the path of playing for the national team, his dad took an interesting leap and became team manager of Agila FC. This gives Gaby not only a proud dad, but a competent in-house and post-game analysis—made better because it’s live and censor-free. Kidding aside, this has become their father-son routine, a more meaningful bonding session that ends with improvement, not argument.
“In football, you really have to be smart, and you have to analyze every game,” explains Gaby. “Since I was young, we would target a skill to develop each year, and all of that was part of improving my game.” With brains and support as significant components in the Borja family, Gaby’s well equipped with the tools to succeed, so don’t bother giving him a baseball bat for his birthday anymore.
Not to be forgotten, two other Borjas are also in the running for the football career. Younger brothers Luis and Marco from the Ateneo as well are just as promising in the sport (and in school) and in no time, can we expect another trio of brothers to rule the football arena, similar to the Hartmanns?
Nerds of the Same Feather
When asked about his childhood ambition, get ready for Gaby’s exhausting roster: doctor, engineer, entrepreneur and football player! That makes him an excellent fit at the Philippine Science High School, where he did mention that the syllabus includes three science subjects per year, not to mention math—all of which he enjoys—when he’s in school, of course.
“All in all, I’ve missed about 7 months of school in PSHS,” Gaby sheepishly narrates as if he were sent to the principal’s office (which would be an unlikely encounter).
Despite his recurring absences, Gaby has the blessing of his school and classmates to pursue this official truancy. His motto of “Studies first” is well known to all, and the Borja culture of familial support has extended to the school administration as well. Everyone has put on the united front to support and foster his extra curricular dreams rather than to hamper it.
The impression that his PSHS classmates are purely geeks has been wiped out of our consciousness as Gaby told us endearing stories of his classmates learning football (with cleats), playing in a band, and checking out NBA stats, in school, in real time.
“They’re very talented, and yes, nerds can play too,” he gushes with pride. While Gaby does manage to spend time in the Blue Eagle field with his old Atenean friends, his PSHS classmates are just as important to him.
Barks and Sparks
As early as first year high school, Gaby has already been playing for Loyola FC—way before it sparked Meralco’s interest in the football league.
“I already got to play in the UFL when I was in 2nd year high school for the Loyola FC,” recalls Gaby.
When it became Loyala Meralco FC, and orange became the new blue, that’s when the real training began with Gaby as the youngest player.
“We would practice every night,” according to Gaby. Despite the strenuous sessions, Gaby still manages to get up and face his teachers every morning—and yes, join the Intel Science Fair among other academic activities.
Gaby describes the orange team as “Committed to training and bears a professional atmosphere.” As for his kuyas, “I’m relishing the experience with the Phil and James Younghusband. I’m really learning a lot from them.”
Moving to the national team, Gaby’s adventures gather a longer list that involves more numbers, never mind since he likes the math: U-14, U-16, U-17, U-18, U-19, and U-21. Whenever there were tryouts, Gaby would just grab the opportunity, take his chances and savor each step (or number) as it brings him closer to his football dream.
Training with the national team is a bit different though, as most of his teammates belong to the same age group—making school and PS3 common topics of interest, among other juvenile pursuits. While the regular rigorous training sessions are definitely part of the routine, there are also training camps—like in Bacolod—that run for two straight months. It’s not all fun, of course—despite how enticing it does sound—but the company and experience make up for this long stint away from home.
While the roster is ever changing given the numerous under-something categories, Gaby has named Russel Pierson and Joseph San Martin from the Under-21 squad as peers he has gotten quite close to, aside from cousin Carlos.
As for the Azkals Senior team, aside from the Younghusband siblings, Gaby looks up to Lexton Moy for his skills, smarts and brilliant touches.
“A big part of football is intelligence,” asserts Gaby. And with the way your career is going, we believe you.
Crouching Tiger
Gaby has spent most of his life being trained and instructed by various coaches, from his varsity teams to clubs. Most have focused on direct football—involving long balls and less passes—which he compares with Under-21 Coach Zoran Dordevic’s strategy of possession football that requires more short and accurate passes. The latter’s style aims to keep possession of the ball and control the pace of the match. If you are a Barça fan, then this style of play is something you would call the tiki-taka. As a defensive midfielder, Gaby prefers the possession style as it is more defensive in nature; its slow tempo, shorter passing tactical style maximizes his role in retaining distribution near the defense.
“Coach imparts that mentality on the players (of keeping possession), and he can be very meticulous when it comes to playing,” Gaby notes. “You’ll really learn a lot from him as he’s a very ‘decorated’ man.”
First time acquaintances will easily recognize the Serbian coach with his introductory question: Are you a tiger or a chicken? Of course, Gaby here answered “Tiger,” but at the back of his mind, had he planned on retorting, “Eagle?”
Fast and the Future
Gaby believes in the Grassroots Program to help foster the future generation of Philippine football. Having grown up practically with a football as his playmate, he understands the need to develop the mastery and natural skill while young, which the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) provides a venue for with its grassroots program.
“We (Philippine Football) have a long way to go. With the grassroots program, football players are exposed to the sport and learn the ropes while still at a young age.”
While Gaby claims that he never played basketball on account of his height, he gives another reason for the football fervor, “The Filipinos are better suited for football than basketball. Football is more exciting and we could adapt to it easily.”
Aside from a barrage of football practice sessions and the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy, Gaby has also been busy with college, currently at the interview process for the INTARMED Program of the University of the Philippines. He did after all mention his plan of becoming a doctor, and the INTARMED provides the best academic venue for this.
As for football and med school, he will try to manage both. He has, after all, contended with the triple life—and additional lab coats and frogs for dissection on his checklist will not be that much of a difference. He’ll just need more bags.
Playing for the national team is another rare opportunity, and Gaby knows that well enough: “I will keep on playing and see where it takes me, since the Under-21 is doing well. I still have a lot to learn from the Coach, and so I will take my chances to get to play with the Azkals.”
It’s very impressive to hear a young Filipino with so much dedication for areas that will actually make an impact for our future. For someone that talented to give us this inspiration, you deserve not only a pat on a back, but one each time you wake up in the morning.
When asked what can he impart to the young go-getters, who like himself, will carve the name of Philippine football in the years to come, the answer is simple, “There’s always room for improvement. Stay grounded.”
And that is why Gaby is bound to soar.
With so many under-something squads playing for the national team, it can get slightly confusing. If you do find Gabriel Borja on the pitch, a scream of “E=mc2” might get his attention, though annoy the rest of the crowd. Here are some everyday facts that would make conversation easy and less controversial.
www.azkalsfootballteam.com/news.php?id=37