Meet your ‘Gentle Giants’ (Part 1 of 5)

CEBU Football Club (also known as Cebu F.C.) is a Filipino professional football club based in Cebu City. The team plays in the Philippines Football League (PFL), the top-flight league of football in the country.

The club was founded in 2021. Its team colors are red and white. Currently one of the top teams in the PFL, Cebu F.C. play its home games at the Dynamic Herb Sports Complex in Talisay City, Cebu.

The players also carry the moniker “The Gentle Giants,” a tribute to the whale sharks found in the town of Oslob, Cebu.

Meet the Cebu F.C. squad:

Mert Altinöz

Jersey number: 10

Position: Midfield

SunStar Sports (SS): How does it feel to represent Cebu Football Club as part of the Gentle Giants?

Mert: It’s a very good feeling. Every time I play a match, I feel like I’m reborn.

SS: Are there any specific rituals or routines you follow to get into the right mindset before a match?

Mert: I always prepare myself professionally for matches. Twenty-four hours before the game, I do what I’m totally comfortable with: Listen to relaxing music; I don’t talk to anyone on the phone; I always watch videos of my idol, Kevin de Bruyne.

SS: How do you manage the expectations and maintain a positive mindset, both on and off the field, to consistently perform at your best?

Mert: I think professional football is one of the most difficult professions in the world. You should always take care of yourself, do high-level training and improve yourself both physically and psychologically. There is no room for emotion in football. Months ago, we experienced a major earthquake disaster in Turkey’s Hatay province. Unfortunately, many of my friends and their families lost their lives, and the city I lived in was completely destroyed. I had a very difficult time psychologically and because I couldn’t focus on training, I had an injury in my foot that lasted for about 45 days. I can say that my performance has decreased a lot this year. We should always have a very strong structure.

SS: Football is known for its passionate fanbase. Can you share an experience where the support from fans had a significant impact on you or the team during a game?

Mert: Football is definitely nice with the fans. I played in front of 25,000 spectators in Hatayspor, which has a very big team like the Turkish Super League, and it was watched by 88 million on live television. I think it is very exciting and a factor that brings the football player to himself.

SS: Apart from football, what are some of your hobbies or passions outside of the game?

Mert: Actually, I am more interested in football. I always watch football-related videos, read books, but sometimes I allow myself to do things that I am completely comfortable with. I like hiking in the mountains, listening to relaxing music, and watching movies.

SS: If you could play any other sport professionally, which one would it be and why?

Mert: If I wasn’t a football player, I would definitely be a tennis player. I’ve studied tennis before and it’s a sport I love and enjoy.

Additionally, I want to encourage all children in the Philippines to work hard and watch every match of their idol to follow their dreams. Everything may not go as you want in a game or season you play, never think about giving up, always work and study. If you truly believe in something, your biggest rival is yourself. Make a promise to yourself and try to do it. Do it and make sure you try hard. Even if you don’t make it, you won’t regret trying so hard.

Daniel Gadia

Jersey number: 6

Position: Midfielder

SunStar Sports (SS): How does it feel to represent Cebu Football Club as part of the Gentle Giants?

Daniel: For me it means a lot from a kid who started playing on the streets of Manila. In a sense, it’s my dream to have a club that’s supported by good management and fans. I will always be proud that I’m part of Cebu F.C.

SS: Are there any specific rituals or routines you follow to get into the right mindset before a match?

Daniel: Nothing special. I just make sure I’m well-rested, have a good pre-match meal four hours before the match, hydrate properly, and maybe watch a K-Drama before the kick-off.

SS: How do you manage the expectations and maintain a positive mindset, both on and off the field, to consistently perform at your best?

Daniel: As a kid who always dreamed to be a pro-football player I always think I’m lucky enough to be able to wake up each morning doing what I love.

SS: Football is known for its passionate fanbase. Can you share an experience where the support from fans had a significant impact on you or the team during a game?

Daniel: I can share one message that struck me as a Gentle Giant. One club in Carcar City idolizes us as individuals and as a group, and they are the kids who cannot afford to go to school but they are great children.

SS: Apart from football, what are some of your hobbies or passions outside of the game?

Daniel: I love reading books and hopefully, I can free dive soon.

SS: If you could play any other sport professionally, which one would it be and why?

Daniel: I want to be an MMA/Brazilian jiu jitsu pro.

Marcel Ivan Ouano

Jersey number: 17

Position: Striker

SunStar Sports (SS): How does it feel to represent Cebu Football Club as part of the Gentle Giants?

Marcel: It feels great to represent Cebu F.C. since I was born and raised here in Cebu. It’s my pride and honor to play for Cebu F.C.

SS: Are there any specific rituals or routines you follow to get into the right mindset before a match?

Marcel: The day before a game, I visualize everything that might happen on the field, what I would do, where I would position myself etc.

SS: How do you manage the expectations and maintain a positive mindset, both on and off the field, to consistently perform at your best?

Marcel: I just enjoy and work hard every training, knowing all our hard work in training will pay off.

SS: Football is known for its passionate fanbase. Can you share an experience where the support from fans had a significant impact on you or the team during a game?

Marcel: Having our fans supporting us during a match gives us energy. In return, we players do our best so we can give them a beautiful game.

SS: Apart from football, what are some of your hobbies or passions outside of the game?

Marcel: One of my hobbies is riding motorcycles and going on a ride to the beach and mountains. Of course, I only ride when we have a week off, when it wouldn’t affect my training schedule.

SS: If you could play any other sport professionally, which one would it be and why?

Marcel: Boxing. Because since I was a kid, I always loved watching boxing.

Charles Ralph Allan V. Dabao Ill

Jersey number: 30

Position: Defender

SunStar Sports (SS): How does it feel to represent Cebu Football Club as part of the Gentle Giants?

Charles: I’m very grateful to have the chance to play for Cebu Football Club. It means a lot to me because it’s our dream to play professional football someday and Cebu F.C. gave that to me.

SS: Are there any specific rituals or routines you follow to get into the right mindset before a match?

Charles: The day before the game, I always watch videos about defending because that’s my position and I take a very good rest to prepare for the game.

SS: How do you manage the expectations and maintain a positive mindset, both on and off the field, to consistently perform at your best?

Charles: I just listen to the coaches and do what they want me to do. I always concentrate on training, and give my hundred percent. So that when it comes to the game I can give my best performance.

SS: Football is known for its passionate fanbase. Can you share an experience where the support from fans had a significant impact on you or the team during a game?

Charles: Cebuano fans are very supportive, especially in our home games. Despite the hot weather, they still come and support our games. They also motivate us to give our best in every game. We also want to win the games for them.

SS: Apart from football, what are some of your hobbies or passions outside of the game?

Charles: I also play other sports such as basketball, volleyball and badminton. I also love to go to the gym. | work out almost every day even if we have training in the afternoon. I also love to go hiking and go to the beaches. I just do anything I want if we’re not in training but if the training or the games come I should give my hundred percent. That’s just how I balance my hobbies and my commitment to the club.

SS: If you could play any other sport professionally, which one would it be and why?

Charles: If I can play another sport professionally, it would be Mixed Martial Arts. Before, I used to train MMA back in our city and I enjoy the training and the workout. I love the sport but football is life.

Jeremiah Borlongan

Jersey number: 8

Position: Winger

SunStar Sports (SS): How does it feel to represent Cebu Football Club as part of the Gentle Giants?

Jeremiah: It’s an important club for me because it’s my first professional club and I want to make history with them. It’s been in the PFL for less than two years and we’re already competing for the title. I’m proud to play for Cebu.

SS: Are there any specific rituals or routines you follow to get into the right mindset before a match?

Jeremiah: Before games, I drink yerba and listen to music to keep me focused and get hyped.

SS: How do you manage the expectations and maintain a positive mindset, both on and off the field, to consistently perform at your best?

Jeremiah: Being in Cebu Football Club, you really need to have a strong mindset to be able to perform and show the coach that you deserve to play and be in the starting 11.

SS: Football is known for its passionate fanbase. Can you share an experience where the support from fans had a significant impact on you or the team during a game?

Jeremiah: Every home game, home fans never fail to disappoint. We always feel they are with us every game. We probably have the best fanbase in the PFL as of the moment.

SS: Apart from football, what are some of your hobbies or passions outside of the game?

Jeremiah: I love to watch Netflix and play Fifa during my free time.

SS: If you could play any other sport professionally, which one would it be and why?

Jeremiah: I want to become a cyclist because I feel if I just put more time into the sport, I can also become one of the best in the country.