While it’s already an achievement to try out with a handful of other talented and experienced players from all parts of the globe, what probably sets Paolo apart is the fact that he made it to the national team. All that at 20-years-old.
“Ang tangkad ko kasi eh"
Paolo started playing football when he was 7-years-old at Paref Springdale School. Asked why he chose football over other sports, he said “it was the only club in school."
Coincidence? Maybe. Meant to be? Definitely.
He was a striker until grade seven when his coach realized he had the potential to be a good goalkeeper given his height.
“Ang tangkad ko kasi eh, so mahaba yung reach ko if I defend the goal. From then on, I’ve been playing at the goalkeeper position," says the 5’11" standout.
Since that switch, Paolo has played in Global Smartmatic FC and in the Philippine U-19 team that competed in China.
Unfortunately, his undeniable future in football was threatened to be hampered by one thing – his education.
Dentist or pilot or footballer?
When both of your parents are dentists, it’s sort of a no-brainer that you’re probably setting sights on being a dentist, too.
In fact, Paolo was already taking up dentistry before he realized he wanted to be a pilot instead. However, flying school requires that you finish a four-year course first so he shifted to business degree.
His parents understood that he was trying to find another path for himself. But quitting school for a few years altogether to play football was something that had to be discussed more.
“It was a mutual decision naman between me and my parents to postpone my schooling," he says.
Paolo is supposed to be in fourth year college now but because of his commitment to the Azkals, he’s probably putting off his dreams of flying a plane indefinitely.
“School can wait, but I can only play for the national football team for so long," he adds.
Welcome to the life of an Azkal
Paolo has been training with the Azkals since January.
“I’m friends with everyone now but it was hard for us when we just started. It’s always hard to be the newcomers," he says of his experience alongside the other recruits.
Aside from the fact that he had to adjust to Coach Michael Weiss’ system, he also felt homesick especially during his first couple of weeks here in Manila.
“I missed the seafood. And we have this rose plantation in Cebu which I always go to. It’s my most favorite place to visit," he says.
The self-confessed protective brother also kids that he wants to be in Cebu to “look after" his two teenage sisters.
Paolo got to visit his province when the Azkals went to Cebu for their team-building session.
“Grabe talaga yung welcome sa ’min don. Overwhelming. And it meant so much to me because that’s my hometown," says the proud Cebuano.
Right now, Paolo and the rest of the U-23 players are preparing for the Southeast Asian Games in November. He’s also getting back to competition form after he dislocated his shoulder two months ago.
Might seem like a tough path to choose for such a young man but he doesn’t regret any part of his decision to suit up for the Azkals.
Paolo may not be hitting the books again this June, but he’s definitely coming back to pursue his ambition of becoming a pilot. For now, his assignment is to win in the SEA Games. Source
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