Pamilya ang inspirasyon

Stephan Markus Cabizares Schrock
Ni Janiel Abby Toralba

Isa sa mga kinabibiliban pagdating sa larangan ng men’s professional football sa bansa si national team captain Stephan Markus Cabizares Schrock.

Nakailang beses na ring ibinandera nang sinilang noong August 21, 1986, 5-foot-7, tubong Schweinfurt, Germany sa amang German at Pilipina, ang bansa, mapa-national­ team o Philippine Azkals, o club team sa mga international competition.

Pinakahuli ang PH 11 sa 39th Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League 2020 sa buwang ito at 30th Southeast Asian Games 2019 nitong Disyembre lang parehong sa bansa.

Hindi man nakapasok sa semifinals, buong puso namang ipinakita ng national squad na kayang makipagsabayan sa mga counterpart. Lalo na si Schrock na lumaki man sa Alemanya’y hinubog naman ng inang tubong Maguindanao pero lumaki sa Cebu kaya may pusong Pinoy rin ang footballer.

Kahit busy sa mga tournaments, tinitiyak naman ng ating bida na nabibigyang oras niya ang kanyang pamilya gaya ng ginawa ng kanyang ina sa kanya makaraang mahiwalay silang mag-ina sa haligi ng kanilang tahanan nang 10 taon pa lang siya.

Kuwento ni Schrock, “My family, my kids, my wife were sacrificing a lot, ever since. Every time I’m off, I try to enjoy every minute with the kids especially with my two boys and try to make the best out of it. I’m 33 already so they don’t have to suffer for so long anymore.”

Ibinahagi rin niya na parehas may interes ang dalawang bata pang mga anak sa sports.

“The older one was more on taekwondo. All my hopes rely on the second kid.”

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Q&A

TONITE: Paano mo ilalarawan ang iyong SEA Games experience lalo na ang bansa ang nag-host?

Schrock: “Overall it was really really outstanding, it’s something special.

I will always love to look back at the SEA Games even though we did not make it to the semifinals. Just the atmosphere and the power the country has and the people has giving us was overwhelming and I will always carry them in my heart.”

TONITE: Ano ang mindset mo sa bawat laro?

“The mindset is always on winning. We always focus on winning, on making history, getting gold for the club and for the country. So, that’s the mindset we always approach the game and will be also on the match.”

TONITE: Paano mo mae-encourage ang kabataan na subukan ang football?

“Football is a life-saver for me. I had a hard childhood and not so privileged life until I started playing football and football opened up doors for everything. It will teach you so much and give you so much. If you’re willing to give, then it will give you more.”

TONITE: Mensahe para sa mga sumusuporta sa soccer?

“I’ve seen fully booked stadium in the Philippines already and I’ve seen empty seats. People must understand the competition, the actual play. So I count on them and please show up every game here. You will not be disappointed.”