MANILA, Philippines - “I’m injured… I’ll be out for three to four weeks so I won’t play. I’m staying here, I have to get better.”
This is what the Azkals’ striker Phil Younhusband tells Bulletin Entertainment on March 18, a day before the team is scheduled to fly to Myanmar for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup.
Phil and the rest of the Azklas were at the SM Mall of Asia’s activity center for the fan day organized by SM’s Global Pinoy Center (GPC). Met with loud cheers and a surging crowd all wanting to get autographs and photos taken with the team members, the short program was held in honor of the recognition that the team has brought to the country of late. The GPC also gave each Azkals member their own GPC cards so they, too, can enjoy its numerous benefit for balikbayans and other overseas workers.
When asked how he feels about all the attention, specifically on him, “Okay naman, enjoy naman,” Phil answers with a shy smile as Bulletin Entertainment catches up with him backstage. But more than his personal celebrity, Phil is happy about the attention being bestowed on the team because it inspires them to do better.
Team manager and former Leyte Football Association's president Dan Palami explained, “In Myanmar we would be playing against three teams: Myanmar, Palestine and Bangladesh. We hope to win all three games and get through to the final group stages. The next stage will be played next year.”
But this means the team would be vying for a place in the final group stages without Phil. Sidelined with a hamstring injury from their last game against Mongolia, Phil has remained in the country to recuperate.
In a live interview on “Startalk” via phone patch, March 19, Phil told host Butch Francisco, “Malungkot ako, medyo disappointed ako pero sana manalo tayo sa Myanmar.”
Describing his physical condition, he said, “Masakit pa rin… hindi pwedeng tumakbo. Just… pahinga. Dapat pahinga ako one week. Sa second week may treatment. Then third week may rehab. Pero ngayon masakit pa rin.”
By the fourth week, Phil hopes to be back playing again to re-train and join the rest of the team.
Segueing a bit to more showbiz concerns, Phil was asked what his thoughts were for being labeled a “playboy.”
“Playboy? Hindi ko naintindihan, bakit playboy… anong ibig sabihin ng playboy,” he said briefly, sounding a little stumped.
When he was told it’s the same as being called “chickboy,” he said with a laugh, “Hindi ko alam. I’m not a playboy. I don’t understand why I’ve been labeled a playboy because I’m not like that.”
But he also said he remains confident about the team’s chances, “Kasi meron tayong bagong players… Si Angel [Aldeguer]. Si William [Espinosa]… bagong stikers ng Azkals. So confident ako ‘cause magaling sila. So sobrang confident ako na manalo tayo.”
In parting, Phil’s message to fans was:
“Babalik ako in three or four weeks so ‘wag kayong mag-alala. Sana mabilis ang recovery ko and thank you for all your messages and words of encouragement, and support for the Azkals.”
0 Comments
