THE Davao Aguilas Football Club (FC) has just recently signed probably the fittest booter in the land.
You can judge the 26-year-old Kerbie Relova’s fitness even without seeing him play.
The Mechnical Engineering graduate of Xavier University has a six-pack which is an envy of many including myself.
First time I met him was during the SM Street Ball tournament few years back held in Cagayan de Oro at the SM City parking lot, Uptown.
He was carrying a water container and selling water for his club, Magis FC. His body was already impressive.
During the tournament he was more impressive on the hard surface of SM parking lot. He was the heart and soul of the Magis FC defense.
With him at the back, Magis FC won the Men’s Open title of the five-aside-tournament also organized by Magis FC.
What do you expect? His father Greg is a gym instructor working at the Pelaez Sports Complex downtown. Under Greg, Kerbie has developed his body and turning his fitness high above the rest.
But for Kerbie, fitness is just a part of his life and football is really his life.
He started playing football at 10-years-old while studying at the South City Central School in Barangay Nazareth. He became more interested in the beautiful game when his father got the job as a fitness instructor at the Pelaez stadium.
When he moved to the Misiamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (Mogchs) for his secondary education, football became the center of his life.
Mogchs is just nearby the Pelaez stadium and he found his home pitch.
But his mother Alice and his father have always insisted on him to finish his education. So right after finishing his secondary school at Mogchs, he tried out for the Xavier University football varsity and became a football scholar and finishing his Mechanical Engineering Degree in 2014.
After graduation, he postponed his board exams and tried out for several Manila teams in the United Football League in Manila.
Manila Jeepney signed him up. The Erap Estrada supported Manila Jeepney FC, however folded up later but Kerbie never lost hope in playing the sport he passionately loves.
When the opportunity to play for the Davao Aguilas knocked early this year, Kerbie opened his door and tried out.
He then impressed the Aguilas coaching staff and without hesitation, made him as their first player from Cagayan de Oro.
Kerbie is so thankful that he finally has realized his dream of playing professionally in our country and representing Mindanao.
“The PFL (Philippine Football League) will bring progress to football in the Philippines. It will give chance for the current football playing kids to play professionally,” he said.
He also advises the youth now not to stop dreaming because the football league they can now play is now here. He also tells the kids not to do drugs, alcohol and smoking.
Kerbie admits that he is really not a skillful player but he compensates with good tactical approach of the game.
He will probably share the center back position with their Serbian import Milos Krstic.
The Davao Aguilas have yet to announce who would play in their Philippine Football League match on May 7 against the fellow new comer Ilocos United. The match is set at the Quirino stadium in Bantay, Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
With or without Kerbie playing for the Aguilas in Vigan, for sure Cagayan de Oro football fans will look forward to see him play in Tagum city, Davao del Norte in their next match.
(l.biantan@gmail.com)