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:

Jacob Liao

Jersey number: 32

Position: Defender

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

“I feel extremely grateful to represent a city that loves football.”

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

“Proper nutrition has been my main tool in preparing myself before a match.”

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

“What’s important is to really enjoy what you are doing and right now, I’m enjoying the kind of football I’m playing which takes away all the pressure.”

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?

“My experience with the Cebu F.C. kids has been amazing. Seeing them have the same passion I had growing up has really inspired me and made my experience here in Cebu even better.”

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

“To be completely honest with you, I am crazy for football so when I am not on the field playing I am either playing Fifa or watching football games with my friends.”

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

“Maybe swimming because I grew up by the ocean.”

Jason Cordova

Jersey number: 37

Position: Defender

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

“I am proud and honored to represent Cebu Football Club. Wearing the club’s color shows one team and one goal.”

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

“Prayers to keep me focused and to endure all the challenges of the game get me into the right mindset before the match.”

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

“I set goals to achieve and continue to pursue accomplishment and success beyond expectations. With this, I can consistently perform at my best.”

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?

“The eagerness and passion through their cheers, voices and music during a game has a big impact on us which also serve as our motivation to give our best every game.”

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

“It would be basketball. I also have the skills and ability in basketball. I have been the Most Valuable Player in a team.”

Kore Kore Marius

Jersey number: 80

Position: Midfielder

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

“I feel good to represent Cebu Football Club because it has been four years being with this team and now playing at the professional level with them. It means a lot for me to wear the club colors.”

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

“Before every game, I think about my late uncle who gave me everything to be where I am to be a good footballer now.”

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

“I know that I am a professional footballer and my mindset is to do well on the pitch and help my teammates in the field to win and self discipline.”

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

“Volleyball because I am good at it.”

Rintarou Hama

Jersey number: 21

Position: Forward

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

“I am happy that I am playing football for the people who support me.”

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

“I’m not as good as I want to be yet, so I’ll continue to practice.”

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?

“During the game, I was encouraged by the cheering. Next time, I want to play well so that I can cheer up the fans.”

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

“I like baseball!”

Ruffy A. Llorente

Jersey number: 22

Position: Defender

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

“To represent Cebu F.C. and be part of the Gentle Giants makes me feel blessed and privileged. To me, wearing the club’s colors signifies my commitment to the team and my sport. I am simply proud to represent the colors I can call my home.”

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

“In my 29 years of being in football, I have developed the habit of being calm and steady before the game. I also make sure that I am physically ready for the battle, I set my mind into it and I mentally strategize my tactics. But above all, to me, nothing compares to a calm prayer before an intense game to set my mind and disposition.”

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?

“Their cheers and yells keep me grounded and remind me that I can inspire young football enthusiasts who are watching. Football is not only a matter of physical vigor, it also involves strong emotional, mental and spiritual power. Having all these plus the support from the fans during the game gets me more pumped to do my best on the field and win.”

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

“Basketball. Not known to many, my first sport was basketball back when I was still eight years old.” /