Jason Abbott Abantao Sabio[1] (born 30 June 1986) is a Filipino soccer player who plays as a center-back or a right-back. He is more comfortable at central defense because of his leap, speed, and communication skills.[2]
 Sabio in 2011 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Jason Abbott Abantao Sabio | ||
| Date of birth | 30 June 1986 | ||
| Place of birth | Manila, Philippines | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Grissom High School | |||
| 2004–2007 | BSC Panthers | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Alabama Spirit | |||
| 2009 | Rocket City United | (0) | |
| 2011 | Rocket City United | (0) | |
| 2011–2012 | Kaya | ||
| 2014–2016 | Ceres | ||
| International career‡ | |||
| 2011– | Philippines | 15 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:50, 26 June 2012 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13:25, 27 September 2012 (UTC) | |||
Born in the Philippines, he migrated to the United States as a child and played collegiate soccer for Birmingham–Southern College. He then played in the semi-professional National Premier Soccer League before moving to the Philippines to play for Kaya and Ceres in the United Football League.
He represented the Philippines national team in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup in which they finished third, and in the 2012 AFF Championship where they were semi-finalists.
Early life
editSabio was born in Manila, Philippines whose parents are physicians.[3] His mother is originally from Koronadal and his father is from Marikina.[4] In 1989 Sabio's father started working in the United States, and by 1991, Sabio and his mother followed. They were originally based in Long Island, New York but moved to Huntsville, Alabama when Sabio was in the 5th grade. Growing up in Huntsville, he spent a lot of time at his best friend's (named Edward Wills) house due to his parents working a lot. Wills was a soccer player and he was the one who got Sabio into the sport by the 7th grade.[3]
Playing career
editCollege career
editSabio was recruited from Grissom High School by Birmingham-Southern College (BSC) where he received an academic and athletic scholarship.[5] He played for BSC's soccer team, the Panthers from 2004–2007 and won two NCAA Division 1 Big South Conference championships.[6] Sabio revealed that after two years, he took classes at Northwestern University and almost transferred there but decided to stay at BSC due to their better paying scholarship.[3] After graduation, he was offered a contract to play professionally in Germany but declined the offer due to personal obligations and opting to teach and coach in a high school.[7][8]
Club career
editA former Alabama Spirit player, he was signed by Rocket City United (RCU) for the 2009 NPSL season in late April 2009.[9] He made his debut in RCU's opening game on 2 May 2009 as he conceded two goals in their 2–1 defeat to Saturn FC.[10] He would concede another two goals in their following match against Pumas FC but RCU were able to win 5–2.[11] It would be his last match until their 1–1 away draw to Chattanooga FC on 21 June as Sabio had other commitments which included trying out for the Philippines national team.[12] During his absence, RCU suffered a second league defeat, losing 2–0 to Atlanta FC. This would be their last defeat in the regular season and Sabio would be part of RCU's undefeated run which led them to win the Southeast Division Championship.[13] However, he conceded four goals in a 4–2 defeat to the Erie Admirals in the NPSL National semi-finals.[14]
Sabio was bound to play for RCU in the 2010 NPSL season but was unable due to commitments to his law firm work.[15] However, the club reported on 1 February 2011 that he will be returning for the 2011 NPSL season.[16] His first game back came on the opening day of the season. He got an assist and a clean sheet as RCU defeated Knoxville Force 2–0.[17] He would practically the miss the rest the season due to being on international duty with the Philippines national team.
On 13 August 2011, it was reported that Sabio had signed for Kaya in the Philippines.[18]
International career
editSabio was discovered by Philippines national team captain Aly Borromeo. Sabio met him in the summer of 2009 and since then, Borromeo has been getting him to join the Philippines national team. He was not able to do so due to commitments in law school.[2] By January 2011, as the Philippines were preparing for their 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualification first leg play-off match against Mongolia on 9 February, it was reported that Sabio was one of six new foreign based players that would be trying out for the team.[19] He joined the team on 31 January, just nine days before their match against Mongolia but was still named in the final roster.[2][20] During the match, he came on as a 70th-minute substitute for Anton del Rosario at right back and provided the assist to Phil Younghusband's injury time goal, as the Philippines eventually won 2–0.[21] Due to the absence of regular central defender Rob Gier, Sabio started and completed the 90 minutes in the second leg against Mongolia. However, he gave away a penalty and eventually conceded two goals, as the Philippines lost 2–1.[22][23] They still advanced to the group stage of the qualification by winning 3–2 on aggregate.
Coaching career
editIn the spring of 2008, Sabio was on the coaching staff of John Carroll High School's junior varsity team and varsity team where they won the state championship. While at John Carroll he was also accused multiple times of engaging in sexual misconduct with underage students. In 2009, he also coached the Huntsville High School girls soccer team, Huntsville United soccer club, and an under-12 boys team.[7][3]
Personal life
editHe graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Birmingham–Southern College.[7] He then taught physics and environmental science at a high school.[24] As of 2011, he was attending the University of Alabama School of Law and was a player-coach of their soccer team.[7][8]
Honors
editClub
edit- Kaya
- UFL Division 1: Runner-up 2012
National team
editReferences
edit- ^ "Philippines roster - 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers". The-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. Archived from the original on 23 February 2018. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
- ^ a b c Hizon, Charles (16 February 2011). "Jason Sabio: One word describes the experience... surreal". Soccer Central Philippines. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
- ^ a b c d "The Insider: Interviews - Jason Sabio". Rocket City United. 16 February 2009. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
- ^ Reyes, Shiela (18 June 2011). "Azkals up cose: Jason Sabio". abs-cbnNEWS.com. Alto Broadcasting System-Chronicle Broadcasting Network. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
- ^ "Jason Sabio going back to his roots during RCU offseason". Rocket City United. 8 October 2009. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
- ^ "Former soccer player Jason Sabio named to Philippine National Team". BSCsports.net. Birmingham-Southern College. 8 February 2011. Retrieved 10 March 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c d Betowt, Yvonne T. (21 February 2011). "Grissom grad is shining star in native Philippines". AL.com. The Huntsville Times. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
- ^ a b Owens, Laura (8 March 2011). "Law student a foreign soccer star". The Crimson White. Birmingham, Alabama: University of Alabama. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
- ^ "RCU announces first set of new signings". Rocket City United. 22 April 2009. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
- ^ "Rocket City United falls 2-1 in league opener versus Saturn FC". Rocket City United. 3 May 2009. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
- ^ "Rocket City United Rampant: Pumas FC Routed 5-2". Rocket City United. 10 May 2009. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
- ^ "Ten man RCU battles Chattanooga to hard fought draw 1-1". Rocket City United. 21 June 2009. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
- ^ "Rocket City United wins NPSL Southeast: On to final four in Madison, WI". Rocket City United. 18 July 2009. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
- ^ "Rocket City United loses NPSL semifinal 4-2 to Erie". Rocket City United. 31 July 2009. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
- ^ Wooley, Drew (17 March 2011). "RCU's Sabio players in Philippines". MadisonAlMagazine.com. Madison Weekly. Archived from the original on 14 May 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ "Returning RCU player, Jason Sabio, called to Philippines national team". Rocket City United. 1 February 2011. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
- ^ Theisen, Scott (8 May 2011). "Rocket City United wins 2-0 over Knoxville". WAFF.com. WAFF 48 News. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ Tupas, Cedelf P. (13 August 2011). "UFL Cup: Global, Kaya tap members of Azkals". Inquirer.net. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
- ^ Manotoc, TJ (12 January 2011). "Azkals to rely on Fil-Fors in AFC Challenge Cup". abs-cbnNEWS.com. Alto Broadcasting System-Chronicle Broadcasting Network. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
- ^ Santiago, Francis (7 February 2011). "Azkals aim a shot in the dark". MB.ph. Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on 10 February 2011. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
- ^ "Match Summary - Philippines v Mongolia". The-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. Archived from the original on 10 December 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
- ^ "Match Summary - Mongolia v Philippines". The-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. Archived from the original on 10 December 2012. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
- ^ Tupas, Cedelf P. (15 March 2011). "Match defeat tempers joy of qualification". Inquirer.net. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 18 March 2011. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
- ^ Banzon, Gianna (3 October 2012). "Cosmo Online Hunk Jason Sabio: The Intellectual Athlete". Cosmopolitan Philippines. Summit Media. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
External links
edit- Jason Sabio at National-Football-Teams.com
- Jason Sabio – FIFA competition record (archived)
- Jason Sabio profile at Kaya FC