SAN BEDA RED Booters midfielder Sylver Edzon Pormento recently joined the 24-member delegation of the U20 Philippine Men’s National Football Team (PMNFT) that competed in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U20 Asian Cup Qualifier 2024 last September 21 to 29 in Buriram, Thailand.
During the Qualifiers, the U20 PMNFT was drawn into Group H together with Iraq, Thailand, and Brunei Darussalam. While the team suffered a 0-2 loss against Iraq and 0-5 defeat against hosts, Thailand, the young booters ended their run on a high note with a 4-0 drubbing of Brunei.
This stint marks Pormento’s second consecutive appearance for the national team, as he played for the PMNFT in the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) U19 Championship which took place in Surabaya, Indonesia last July 23.
In an interview with The Bedan, Pormento shared how his chance to suit up for the Philippine team went about.
“Sobrang daming nag-tryout. May mga players silang kinuha [from] Luzon, Visayas, [at] Mindanao… Siyempre meron pang mga foreigners, mga call ups from other countries na mayroong Filipino genes or blood.”
He shared that, because of the tedious selection process, the tryouts lasted a week until the PMNFT could finalize the 24 delegates that competed in Indonesia and Thailand. “Halos one-week ata na tryouts ‘yun, and then [unti-unti nilang nabuo] ‘yung 24 players na magco-compete sa Indonesia at Thailand.”
Along with the tedious hours of training and his competitions being only a month apart, Pormento disclosed that his experience in competing internationally for the Philippines was quite “calm and composed,” despite him being “eager to do his best in every game.”
Keeping his feet on the ground, Pormento recognized his humble beginnings on the streets of Muntinlupa with his mother club, Tuloy FC. At an early age of 7, he remembered how his mentors instilled in his mind that one day, when they grow up, football will help them in life.
After years of playing the sport, he was given the opportunity to play for San Beda and as well as to compete internationally for the first time at the U-16 back in 2019. Pormento elatedly exclaimed, “Sila nag-alaga sa akin, nag-provide sila [ng] lahat. Hanggang sa makarating ako sa ibang bansa, ganun, sila ‘yung nag-provide ng lahat ng kailangan ko,” describing his experience with his previous club.
As indebted as he is to his mother club, Pormento also relished his opportunity to be able to play for the Red Booters, leaving his former club to pursue his dreams at San Beda. “Ang goal kasi nila nun ay makapag aral din ako. Pero ngayon, wala na ako dun sa [Tuloy FC] kasi [pinaprioritize ko] na mag aral.”
Pormento also plays for Mendiola FC, a professional club that traces its roots from San Beda’s football program and competes in the Philippines Football League (PFL).
Finally, he shared some words of encouragement for his fellow Bedan athletes, especially those who plan to excel internationally, saying “...sipagin lang nila. Araw-araw naman ‘yung training dito sa [San] Beda so give it one hundred percent—lahat ng kaya nilang ibuhos sa training.”
Pormento also took into heart the words of Red Booters Head Coach Christopher “Nhiboy” Pedimonte, “Walang relax kasi ayun nga ‘yung sabi ng coach namin, walang relax sa training kasi wala namang mangyayari kung mag rerelax ka lang. Kung tuloy-tuloy ang trabaho mo, aangat ka nang aangat.”
(with reports from Myrna Ydwina Xialea Pelayo)