MANILA, Philippines — Yannick Tuason and Paolo Pascual leave everything behind for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play with the Azkals.

Paolo Pascual, goalkeeper: The other ‘Papa P’

He may not be Piolo, but Paolo Pascual now has his fair share of crazy, adoring fans since joining the Azkals as one of its newest homegrown recruits.

Paolo and the rest of the U-23 (Under 23) players are currently preparing for the Southeast Asian Games in November in Indonesia where he will be the first goalkeeper.

He is also getting back to fighting form after he dislocated his shoulder almost two months ago.

Paolo was just a regular Business and Entrepreneurship college junior at the University of San Carlos in Cebu when he got a call from the Philippine Football Federation asking him to try out for the Azkals.

While it’s already an achievement to try out with other experienced and talented players who come from the other parts of the globe, what sets Paolo apart is the fact that he made it to the national team at only 20 years old. The 5’11” Cebuano native has been training with the Azkals since January.

Paolo started playing football when he was seven years old at Paref Springdale School. He was a striker until Grade VII when his coach realized Paolo had the potential to be a good goalkeeper given his height. He has since played in Global Smartmatic FC and in the Philippine U-19 team that competed in China.

Paolo is supposed to be in fourth year college now, but because most of the trainings are conducted in Manila, he is now looking for a school in the capital city where he can continue his studies while he attends the national team trainings at the same time.

Even if he is away from home, Paolo relates that he is always reminded by his father to “always be an intelligent athlete” by balancing academics and sports.

How did you get into football? I started when I was seven years old, for school. Since then, I’ve been playing football in elementary, high school and college. It has always been my childhood dream to play football.

Who are your football idols? Being a goalkeeper, I look up to Iker Casillas. Locally, I look up to my partner, Eduard Sacapano. He has a good work ethic and he has been with the team for so long so I think he deserves to get noticed, he deserves credit.

How would you describe yourself as a player? A goalkeeper should have discipline and a good work ethic. You shouldn’t give up. Even up to the last minute, you should give it your all. Neil Etheridge gives us a lot of tips. When he’s here, he trains us. He’s got a lot of really, really good and useful tips.

What type of a student are you? I’m silent, kinda studious and friendly.

Was it a tough decision choosing between school and being part of the national football team? It is football for now. But I know you can’t get a living by just doing football. You have to earn after football also. So you need a college degree and all that to go through with life. I talked to my mom and dad about it first and I told them that this is just a once-in-alifetime experience. My parents have been very supportive. They’re the ones who have been encouraging me to join the Azkals.

Who inspires you during a game? Number one is God. Next is ‘yung mga na-achieve nung veteran teammates namin, all the Pinoys who have been with the Azkals ever since, like Roel Gener. Their dedication to the team and to the country is amazing.

Do you have any rituals before a game? I just pray.

How has football changed your life? Now that we’re part of the team, you should be more conscious about your health. That’s something to focus on.

What do you consider is your biggest achievement so far? I think being a part of the Azkals is a very, very big achievement already.

What was your craziest experience with a fan? In Barotac (Iloilo) it is pretty wild. The crowd there is rowdy compared to Manila. Here kasi, they keep things to themselves. There they would, they release. They do anything.

Are you single or in a relationship? I’m single.

What do you look for in a girlfriend? I like someone who is God-fearing and family-oriented.

The biggest sacrifice that you have to make as an Azkal? Being away from the family. I’m from Cebu and to move here to Manila is a big sacrifice for me.

What was the biggest adjustment for you coming from Cebu? The life and the family. Homesickness. In Cebu, I have everything there, you have a home, you’re family is there for you. But here, you have to be independent. You have to learn how to live on your own. You have to find ways to get by here in Manila. It was hard adjusting. But after probably a month, I got used to it already.

If you were not a football player, what would you be doing now? I will be studying. Get my business degree then maybe I’ll go become a pilot. It’s been my dream as well.

Do you think the Azkals will survive without the Fil-foreigners? I think we also need the Fil-foreigners. They bring a lot of experience to the team. But skills-wise, I think the pureblooded Filipinos have it.

What was your initial reaction when you saw your team captain, Aly Borromeo’s billboard? Good for him. I’m happy for him. If you have that kind of body, why not flaunt it. Aly has been with the team for so long already, he really deserves all the attention and fame that he has been getting now. Same with Ian (Araneta), Chieffy (Caligdong) and Role (Gener). I’m closest to them and Yannick (Tuason).

Is there a player in the team that you get intimidated by? In football, if you get intimidated, nothing will happen to you. You have to be strong.

Yannick Tuason, midfielder: Yay for Yannick

Yannick Tuason made his first appearance in an Azkals shirt during the team’s game against Myanmar at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup, and he has been having the time of his life since.

This 22-year-old midfielder from Tagum City, Davao started playing professionally for the Kaya Futbol Club, along with Aly Borromeo, Anton del Rosario and Christopher Camcam before he was asked to try out for the national team.

Yannick also played in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) for the University of Santo Tomas (UST). Unfortunately, he had to take a leave of absence from school and his varsity team to concentrate on the training and preparations the Azkals are undertaking for their SEA Games stint this November. Yannick is taking up Architecture.

Outside of the field, Yannick is a motorcycle and drag race enthusiast.

Along with best buddy Paolo Pascual, they were recently regarded by Suzuki Philippines as “hometown heroes”.

How do you feel about the extraattention that the media is giving to the other players instead of the whole team? It's a team sport. Whatever it is, it's how you (media) guys perceive it. To us, it's just how we play and how we perform on the pitch.

How did you get into football? I started playing when I was four years old, usually in schools. Well, I played with my dad first and my two older brothers. I’ve spent my whole life with a varsity team. First in Southridge, De La Salle Zobel, then UST.

Who are your football idols? Growing up, Ronaldo was my favorite soccer player. Now it's (Lionel) Messi, the no. 1 player in the world. Other than Messi, Christiano Ronaldo na lang. Also I've watched Chieffy (Caligdong) and Aly
(Borromeo) before and I look up to them.

If you were to play against someone, who would it be? It’s either Messi or Ronaldo. That would be awesome. But I’ll be super intimidated. I think I’d be able to score. But on a one-onone, I don’t think so.

How would you describe yourself as a player? Fancy. I love thinking, I love dribbling. But then it comes to a point that it’s a team game. You can’t just solo it out. I love thinking. That’s my favorite thing to do. Scoring goals and assisting.

What type of a student are you? I’m the type who listens to the professor but when it comes to homework, I cram. That’s the only way that I can get to do things. I need a little push in meeting deadlines.

Was it a tough decision choosing between school and being part of the national football team? Since I started super early, I only focused on football. Honestly, studies were like 20 percent. I love soccer. And I’m most comfortable on the field. It’s a dream come true. Honestly, it wasn’t a tough decision. We travel a lot so I really have to stop school for awhile.

How was it playing your first international game? The first time I stepped out in the field, I was super nervous. But after you pull off a move, a perfect pass, you gain control, that’s how you gain confidence. Your first touch makes a big difference. Give it all, give it everything you got.

Who inspires you during a game? God inspires me.

Do you have any rituals before a game? My music really gets me good. My adrenaline gets pumped. I listen to feel-good music. It depends on my mood. It could be hip hop, house, whatever I like during that time, whatever is trendy.

How has football changed your life? The way I live now is different after I decided to stop school for now, took a leave of absence from my course in UST. The way I live now is healthier. I eat very healthy. My cardio, my stamina is up there. It’s way healthier and it’s better for me. My parents prefer my lifestyle now than how I was when I was in school.

 What do you consider is your biggest achievement so far? Playing against Palestine and Bangladesh. I got to play on my first three games with the Azkals.

What was your craziest experience with a fan? There was one who pulled my hair. Sometimes they even grab you.

Are you single or in a relationship? I used to have a girlfriend.I’m single now. We broke up just a month ago. But when I did have girlfriend, it got to her, the training, but not the fans. She understands naman.

What do you look for in a girlfriend? Someone who understands our job. Someone who is open to it, to my schedule. She’ll adapt to me and I’ll adapt to her. I’d love to have an athlete for a girlfriend. But personality is the most important thing. I like morena girls.

The biggest sacrifice that you have to make as an Azkal? Being away from the family. I think that’s the only thing that you sacrifice. If you love the game, I’d go to any country just to play the game. We’re going to Kuwait where it’s super hot, let’s see what happens. But I have no complains.

If you were not a football player, what would you be doing now? I love listening to music so I’d love to become a DJ, or produce music.