We all know how important it is to get behind the team. And for us to achieve that, it is equally important for us to know who we're rooting for and why. Join us in Wazzup Wednesdays to talk about the warriors currently fighting for the nation.
To start the very first edition of Wazzup Wednesdays, we'd like feature a player, born and raised here, who showed that he can play with the big boys of Southeast Asia and beyond. His talent earned him his credentials in the local stage, and it came to no surprise when his services were required by Thai League 1 team, Suphanburi FC. Wazzup with Patrick Deyto?
It always amazes us Filipinos whenever we see a Filipino success story abroad. And Patrick's career is one such example. He is a talent that was born and raised in Manila, dirtying his football boots as young as the first grade.
During his early playing days, he's experimented on his playing positions, eventually deciding to settle as a goalkeeper. He's played for De La Salle Santiago Zobel School during his high school years.
"I'm a football player that just wants to be remembered as someone who does his best all the time. Being able to bring out the best version of myself is what gives me self-respect and fulfillment." Patrick describing himself in a quick chat interview with The Six-Yard Box. We were asking him more about himself behind the stats.
We always have a reason to fight for our nation's pride. Be it out of gratitude, heritage, or identity. He fights for the nation because of these same principles, saying "I love the Philippines, it would be very difficult for me to say no to representing my home."
What put him in the spotlight was his stellar performance minding the goal for the De La Salle Green Archers in the UAAP, earning the award for Best Goalkeeper in season 73.
He's already represented the flag as early as his U23 days. But it was in March 2014 when he was called up to the senior team, by then new Azkals head coach Thomas Dooley, in a friendly match against Malaysia.
He was also selected in the final 23-man squad for the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup which was held in Maldives. Deyto was selected as the starting goalkeeper for the Philippines during the 2014 AFF Championship.
His skills also got him to play professionally in the local scene. He was already honing his skills further through the United Football League, playing for Pachanga FC and Green Archers United during the college off season and into his professional footballing career.
Deyto moved to, then UFL contenders, Global FC in 2014. It was here where his great hands helped the club clinch silverware in the 2016 UFL Cup. He also won the Best Goalkeeper Award that same season.
He continued to play for the club, then renamed Global Cebu FC, in the inaugural Philippines Football League, our current top tier league. He was instrumental in Global's campaign that year, earning a qualification spot for the AFC Cup and the AFC Champions League. He was a key player to Global's international campaigns, just as well.
In July 2018, Patrick completed his move to another PFL giant, Davao Aguilas FC, as they were bolstering their squad to contend for the title. But sadly, even after giving stong performances for the side, the club disbanded after the season.
He was able to move to Stallion Laguna FC in January 2019. But after being offered an opportunity to ply his trade overseas, Stallions allowed his transfer to Suphanburi FC in July that same year saying that "Now that players like Patrick and others have a chance to play overseas, we need to support them."
When Suphanburi signed him up, they were in a midst of a battle for relegation. But with his contributions between the goal, the club is certainly in a good safe spot with the top 6. But as the season was suspended, keeping them there would certainly be a challenge.
But we know that the Filipino resilience and spirit in him and his fellow Azkal teammate, Patrick Reichelt, will certainly overcome this. The nation is right behind you, as we are with every other Filipino doing their best wherever they are.
We have been reliant on our overseas-born players a lot. And we can't blame them because of the level of exposure that they've had with football.
But it's because of hard working talents like Patrick Deyto that we can confidently say that we can do it. That we have what it takes to produce great players here, too. And that if our efforts are all pointed in the right direction, we're sure that our homegrown players can play at the same level as our players from around the world.
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