By Joshua Kyle Beltran
Moving one step closer toward playing professional football, former Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw Booter goalkeeper Mon Diansuy took a leap of faith to up his game as he began to train under Internacional Huesca in Spain.
The Cotabato-native received the opportunity back in University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87, the same time he was hailed Most Valuable Player (MVP) and UAAP Football Player of the Year.
In what Diansuy described as the ‘peak’ of his collegiate journey at the time, he was informed about the chance to train under Internacional Huesca and play in Spain by none other than former Tamaraw Booters head coach Roman Oliver.
However, the ex-MVP initially turned it down as he wanted to finish his bachelor’s degree in Medical Biology first and play for Morayta one last time in Season 88, a decision Oliver fully supported.
Despite being set on hanging up the gloves, Diansuy mentioned that choosing between using his last playing year and going abroad was one of the most difficult decisions he had to make.
Ultimately choosing to forgo his final playing year, the former Tamaraw goalie took his chances — holding onto the belief that it would someday pay off.
“After finishing everything, coming to Spain became one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made because I really wanted to play my final year in the UAAP with FEU. But I also knew that leaving FEU and coming here would be a step forward for me, especially because of how much I can learn and improve by playing in Spain,” he shared in an online interview FEU Advocate.
Diansuy left the country around two weeks after graduating last July and is set to stay in Spain until June 2027.
Humble beginnings
Despite a decorated collegiate career, joining the program does not guarantee a pro contract. Still, the former Football Player of the Year remains eager to learn the ropes alongside the club’s secondary squads.
“I still need to improve and develop more before they consider signing me. For now, I’ll be training with their first team and academy teams, which will give me the opportunity to experience the level of football here in Spain. The level here is far more different from the collegiate level in the Philippines, so I know there’s a lot for me to learn and improve on,” Diansuy mentioned.
Two months into his time abroad, the FEU alum continues to treat the “highly distinctive” learning curve as an opportunity to adapt to the higher level of play Spain has to offer.
“You have to be comfortable playing with the ball, make decisions faster, and think one step ahead. More so, you need to bring your absolute best in every training session, especially during matches. This has pushed me to improve not only as a goalkeeper but also as a player overall,” he said.
Outside of football, the ex-Tamaraw Booter was admittedly not used to Spain’s culture at first — with rice meals not as common and the temperatures being more intense. Over time, however, he adjusted.
In what always seemed impossible, Diansuy’s goal of turning pro slowly came to be within reach — attributing both growth and success to his coaches.
“Becoming a professional athlete has always been one of my biggest goals. That’s why I have so much respect and gratitude for all the coaches who have helped me improve my game and become the player I am today. Before, becoming a professional footballer was just a dream that sometimes felt impossible, but now I’m here in Spain, living the dream and working toward making it a reality,” the goalie expressed.
Internacional Huesca is a professional football club based in Spain that scouts players globally, providing them with opportunities to play at the pro level through its development program.
Diansuy was never one to stress about which path he would ultimately take — whether pursuing medicine as a fallback or playing football professionally. But with enough ambition and passion, one thing remains proven and tested for the former Tamaraw Booter as he steps onto a bigger field: nothing is ever impossible.
(Photo courtesy of Mon Diansuy)