Jack of All Sports, Now Captain of One

Breaking the news to his parents was nerve-wracking, but their unwavering support made the transition easier. “They told me they’d back me in whatever decision I made,” Riley shares. Saying goodbye to basketball was bittersweet. “I’ll always love the sport, and I wouldn’t have achieved what I did without my coaches and teammates.”

Riley’s transition to football was filled with challenges. “It was like starting over. My hands weren’t the tools anymore; my feet had to learn to take the lead,” he says. Despite the steep learning curve, the warmth of the football team kept him going. “They welcomed me like family, and soon, I found myself falling in love with the game.” But life had more in store for Riley. During his Grade 11 year, the touch rugby coach saw something in him that even Riley hadn’t noticed yet—potential. Encouraged by his friends, who were dual-sport athletes, he decided to give it a try. “Touch rugby was a completely different world. Facing European teams was intimidating, but also thrilling.”

Riley’s journey with the team was far from smooth. As senior players graduated, only he and Master Lance Largo remained. “It felt like starting over again. We were just two players with a nearly empty roster, but I refused to give up,” he says. Determined to rebuild, Riley became a recruiter, convincing friends to join the team. Slowly but surely, their numbers grew. “From just two players, we became 16. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.” The team’s early struggles bonded them. “Our first game was tough. Everyone was nervous, what my coach calls ‘first game jitters.’ I told them to relax, to let the game come to them,” Riley recounts. When the team bounced back with two consecutive wins, Riley felt their hard work pay off. Yet, he didn’t let complacency seep in. “A loss after that reminded us that we can’t afford to slack. I told them, ‘If we’re not serious, we shouldn’t play at all.’ It wasn’t anger—it was a call to be better.”

Riley’s leadership is built on discipline and heart. He teaches his teammates not just how to play, but how to grow. “Sacrifice and effort are non-negotiables. I want them to carry what they’ve learned beyond the field—into their studies, their careers, their lives.” When asked how it feels to follow in the footsteps of Master Yongco, the batch 24’ captain and now a member of the Philippine Rugby Team, Riley’s humility shines through. “Of course, it’s an honor to be the successor of Master Yongco, but for me, I wouldn’t say I’m the successor, especially since I haven’t even achieved half of his accomplishments. Him being the youngest national team player inspired me. It helped me realize that anything is possible as long as you work hard for it,” Riley shares. He adds, “With this new team that I’m leading, my goal is to make everyone better. I want them to learn values they can carry on, not only during their time as varsity players but also in their future careers. As I always tell them, if they’re having a hard time, just tell me—for as the captain, I will always have their backs.”

Now in his final season, Riley reflects on how far they’ve come. “What started as two players is now a team, and what was once just a group is now a family. My hope is that the next generation will keep the tradition alive: “Try and try until you succeed. Even the weakest can beat the strongest if they believe.”