A recap from my previous write-up: the Philippines under-19 national team is scheduled to compete in the 19th edition of the ASEAN U19 Boys Championship this July in Surabaya, Indonesia. They are drawn into Group A alongside host Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and Cambodia. The Philippine Football Federation is somewhat silently preparing for the upcoming tournament. According to reports, the Philippines U19 team will conduct a one-month training camp from June 10th to July 10th at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
Eddie Hudson III, a player featured in my previous write-up, finally received an invite to the training camp in Manila. Other players reportedly invited include Aidan Astilla-Boronda of Cal State Monterey Bay, Hector Rodriguez of Wake FC, Angelo Martinez of KRC Mechelen U19, Otu Bisong of the DC United Academy, Ichiro Koyama of FC Homburg U19, James Austin of West Adelaide SC U18, and Justin Oğur of Gaziantep FK U19.
It appears that the current management is now considering all possible options, which is what the fans like—having a wide range of options rather than concentrating on a select few. Additionally, I believe that the new management wants to see longer preparations for the youth national teams, something that the fans have also been calling for a long time.
Like in my previous write-up, I will focus more on featuring players from the defensive side of the pitch. Another center-back prospect I’ve been keeping an eye on is Caleb Santos of High Mowing School and Black Rock FC U19. He was already called up by the Philippines U20 national team in 2022 and was capped once for the Philippines U23 national team under Coach Marlon Maro last year. He is the cousin of David Pahud (Gardner-Webb University), who is also a Philippine youth international.
Player Profile
Name: Alexander Caleb Pahud Santos
Age: 18 (as of writing, 2005-born)
Birthplace: Los Baños, Laguna
Position: Center Back (#4 / #5), Defensive Midfielder (#6), Fullback (#2 / #3)
Height: 6’2 (1.88m)
Youth club/academy experience: Los Baños FC, Loyola Meralco Sparks FC, Malaya FC, Makati FC, Stallion Laguna U19, Black Rock FC U19
Education: De La Salle Zobel, High Mowing School
Semi-pro club experience: Pilipinas Dragons FC
Transfermarkt value: n/a
Playing Experience
Santos started playing football when he was around 4–5 years old. During his youth years, he played for various local youth teams like Los Baños FC, Loyola Meralco Sparks FC, Malaya FC, Makati FC, and others. He won several titles in international youth tournaments held in countries like Denmark, France, Malaysia, and Singapore. He also won a couple of national youth titles, including the 2019 edition of the PFF U15 National Boys Championship with NCRFA and the 2023 PFF U19 National Boys Championship with Stallion Laguna FC U19. A standout at DLSZ, Santos now plies his trade with High Mowing School in New Hampshire and Black Rock FC U19, where he serves as co-captain for both teams. Last year, he played for Pilipinas Dragons FC, one of the guest teams in the Copa Paulino Alcantara. Now in his senior year, Santos has received numerous offers from NCAA Division I to Division III universities; however, he intends to move to Spain and play for FC Odisea after graduation.
Style of Play
At a young age, it never occurred to Caleb that he would play as a center back someday. As a kid, he used to play as a defensive midfielder or a fullback. Over the years, he embraced a new role, and his experience made him the versatile player he is today. Naturally right-footed, he’s capable of playing anywhere in the defense and as a holding midfielder.
Growing up, Caleb looked up to players like Paolo Maldini, Thiago Silva, and Matthijs De Ligt. These players are widely known for their defending and leadership on and off the pitch. He continuously learns by watching them play, especially how to defend, position himself correctly, and execute everything with proper timing.
A ball-playing defender, his experience as a holding midfielder honed his skills in creating plays from the back. He’s a technical player who is comfortable with the ball and an excellent passer. Standing at 6’2 (1.88m), he is a threat not only on the offensive end but also in defending set pieces. With a commanding presence in the backline and good communication skills, it’s clear he learned a lot from watching his heroes. Caleb, however, is not a speedy defender. He isn’t the type to make recovery runs with a sudden burst of speed, and that’s something he needs to work on in training. He also needs to improve his concentration during the game. As a raw talent at only 18 years old, he still has a lot of room to improve.
Santos has already received an invite from the federation for a possible call-up to the Philippines U19 national team, as confirmed by his camp. For him, it will always be a huge honor to play for the three stars and the sun.
A maritime graduate and a long-time football fan. Current Data Administrator of Philippines Football in Transfermarkt. An avid FC Barcelona and Loyola FC fan.
