Jason Sabio
Encyclopedia
Jason Abbott Abantao Sabio (born 30 June 1986) is a Filipino
international soccer player who plays for Kaya
as a center back or a right back but is more comfortable at central defense because of his jump, speed and communication skills.
A native of the Philippines
, he moved to the United States
at a young age where he eventually settled in Huntsville, Alabama
. There he took up the sport of soccer, playing in high school and in college where he also obtained a bachelor's degree in biochemistry
graduating cum laude
. He is currently in law school at the University of Alabama
and is also a player and coach of their club soccer team. An aspiring lawyer
, he will pursue playing professional soccer if he cannot get offers from Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz
or Maynard Cooper Gale law firms.
, Philippines
whose parents are physicians. His mother is originally from Koronadal and his father is from Marikina. 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.
(BSC) where he received an academic and athletic scholarship. He played for BSC's soccer team, the Panthers from 2004–2007 and won two NCAA Division 1 Big South Conference
championships. 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. 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.
player, he was signed by Rocket City United
(RCU) for the 2009 NPSL season
in late April 2009. 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
. He would concede another two goals in their following match against Pumas FC
but RCU were able to win 5–2. 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. 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. However, he conceded four goals in the 4–2 defeat to Erie Admirals
in the NPSL National semi-finals.
Sabio was bound to play for RCU in the 2010 NPSL season
but was unable to due to commitments to his law firm work. However, the club reported on 1 February 2011 that he will be returning for the 2011 NPSL season
. 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. 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 in the Philippines.
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. By January 2011, as the Philippines were preparing for their 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualification
first leg play-off match against on 9 February, it was reported that Sabio was one of six new foreign based players that would be trying out for the team. He joined the team on 31 January, just nine days before their match against Mongolia but was still named in the final roster. During the match, he came on as a 70th minute substitute for Anton del Rosario
at right back as the Philippines eventually won 2–0. 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. They still advanced to the group stage of the qualification by winning 3–2 on aggregate.
girls soccer team, Huntsville United Soccer club and an under-12 boys team.
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
international soccer player who plays for Kaya
Kaya F.C.
Kaya Futbol Club is a Filipino association football club. They are currently playing in the First Division of the United Football League, the country's semi-professional football league....
as a center back or a right back but is more comfortable at central defense because of his jump, speed and communication skills.
A native of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, he moved to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
at a young age where he eventually settled in Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census....
. There he took up the sport of soccer, playing in high school and in college where he also obtained a bachelor's degree in biochemistry
Biochemistry
Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
graduating cum laude
Latin honors
Latin honors are Latin phrases used to indicate the level of academic distinction with which an academic degree was earned. This system is primarily used in the United States, Canada, and in many countries of continental Europe, though some institutions also use the English translation of these...
. He is currently in law school at the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
and is also a player and coach of their club soccer team. An aspiring lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
, he will pursue playing professional soccer if he cannot get offers from Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz
Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz
Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz P.C. is a large U.S. law firm and lobbying group with offices in the Southeastern United States, Washington, D.C. and London, England. According to the National Law Journal's 2010 rankings, it is the 72nd largest law firm in the United States, and...
or Maynard Cooper Gale law firms.
Early life
Sabio was born in ManilaManila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
whose parents are physicians. His mother is originally from Koronadal and his father is from Marikina. In 1989 Sabio's father started working in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and by 1991, Sabio and his mother followed. They were originally based in Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
but moved to Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census....
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.
College career
Sabio was recruited from Grissom High School by Birmingham-Southern CollegeBirmingham-Southern College
Birmingham–Southern College is a 4-year, private liberal arts college located three miles northwest of downtown Birmingham. Founded in 1856, it is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Approximately 1400 students from 30 states and 23 foreign countries attend the college...
(BSC) where he received an academic and athletic scholarship. He played for BSC's soccer team, the Panthers from 2004–2007 and won two NCAA Division 1 Big South Conference
Big South Conference
The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...
championships. Sabio revealed that after two years, he took classes at Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
and almost transferred there but decided to stay at BSC due to their better paying scholarship. After graduation, he was offered a contract to play professionally in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
but declined the offer due to personal obligations and opting to teach and coach in a high school.
Club career
A former Alabama SpiritAlabama Spirit
Alabama Spirit is an American soccer team founded in 2007. The team is a member of the National Premier Soccer League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, and will make their debut in the new Southeast Conference in 2008, playing a short season of "exhibition games" prior to a planned...
player, he was signed by Rocket City United
Rocket City United
Rocket City United is an American soccer team based in Huntsville, Alabama, United States. Founded in 2007, the team plays in the National Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division.The team plays its home games at...
(RCU) for the 2009 NPSL season
2009 NPSL Season
The 2009 National Premier Soccer League season was the 7th season of the NPSL. The season began on May 2, 2009, and ended with the NPSL Championship Game in August 2009...
in late April 2009. 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
Saturn FC
Saturn FC is an American soccer team based in Marietta, Georgia, United States. Founded in 2009, the team plays in National Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division....
. He would concede another two goals in their following match against Pumas FC
Pumas FC
Pumas FC was an American soccer team based in Birmingham, Alabama, United States. Founded in 2009, the team plays in the National Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division.The team played its home games on the...
but RCU were able to win 5–2. It would be his last match until their 1–1 away draw to Chattanooga FC
Chattanooga FC
Chattanooga FC is an American soccer team based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 2009, the team plays in National Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division.The team plays its home games at...
on 21 June as Sabio had other commitments which included trying out for the Philippines national team. During his absence, RCU suffered a second league defeat, losing 2–0 to Atlanta FC
Atlanta FC
Atlanta Silverbacks Reserves is an American soccer team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Founded in 2007 as Atlanta FC, the team plays in National Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division.The team plays...
. 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. However, he conceded four goals in the 4–2 defeat to Erie Admirals
Erie Admirals SC
Erie Admirals S.C. is an American soccer team based in Erie, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 2009, the team plays in the National Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Keystone Division.The team plays its home...
in the NPSL National semi-finals.
Sabio was bound to play for RCU in the 2010 NPSL season
2010 NPSL Season
The 2010 National Premier Soccer League season is the 8th season of the NPSL. The season began on April 3, 2010, and ended with the NPSL Championship Game in August.- New Clubs :...
but was unable to due to commitments to his law firm work. However, the club reported on 1 February 2011 that he will be returning for the 2011 NPSL season
2011 NPSL season
The 2011 National Premier Soccer League season was the 9th season of the NPSL. The regular season began on April 1, 2011, and ended on July 17...
. 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
Knoxville Force
Knoxville Force is an American soccer team based in Knoxville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 2010, the team debuted in the Southeast Division of the National Premier Soccer League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in 2011....
2–0. 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 in the Philippines.
International career
Sabio was discovered by Philippines national teamPhilippines national football team
The Philippines national football team is the national football team of the Philippines and represents the country in international football. The team is controlled by the Philippine Football Federation , the governing body of football in the Philippines....
captain Aly Borromeo
Alexander Borromeo
Alexander Charles Luis "Aly" Borromeo is an American born Filipino footballer who plays for and is the current captain of the Philippines national team. Previously a goalkeeper, he has since become a utility player, playing as a central midfielder or center forward for his club and mainly as a...
. 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. By January 2011, as the Philippines were preparing for their 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualification
2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualification
The 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualification phase saw eight teams advance to the final tournament in Nepal. The qualification draw was held on 20 October 2010, in AFC House.-Seeding:...
first leg play-off match against on 9 February, it was reported that Sabio was one of six new foreign based players that would be trying out for the team. He joined the team on 31 January, just nine days before their match against Mongolia but was still named in the final roster. During the match, he came on as a 70th minute substitute for Anton del Rosario
Anton del Rosario
Anton Edward Quimson del Rosario is an American born Filipino footballer who plays as a right back or centre back for Kaya and the Philippines national team.- Youth and college :...
at right back as the Philippines eventually won 2–0. 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. They still advanced to the group stage of the qualification by winning 3–2 on aggregate.
Coaching career
In 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. In 2009, he also coached the Huntsville High SchoolHuntsville High School
Huntsville High School is a public high school in Huntsville, Alabama, United States.-History:Due to growth in Huntsville in the 1920s, Huntsville High moved to a location on Randolph Avenue and White Street in 1927. This building served the high school until 1954, when a new building opened on...
girls soccer team, Huntsville United Soccer club and an under-12 boys team.