Player Profile: Jovin Bedic Entering his ninth year with Kaya FC, is 2021 going to be the biggest one yet for the homegrown sensation?

The current holder of the captain’s armband, Jovin Bedic is not only seen as a leader at Kaya FC–Iloilo, but also a key focal point for the club’s attack. Equally dangerous as an unconventional winger, or as a forward, the Philippine international is a regular source of goals and assists, both domestically and continentally.

Bedic was born and raised in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo. The son of a prominent coach in the Philippine football capital, he started kicking a ball very early, eventually developing the strong technical skills he’s known for today. Forged by the intense competition at the famous Barotac Nuevo Plaza on a daily basis, he combined his skills with the toughness required to thrive in the football hotbed.

After impressing in local competitions throughout his youth, he was recruited to play for West Negros University by legendary coach Norman Fegidero. When Fegidero was appointed head coach of the Philippine National Men’s Team in 2008, an 18-year-old Bedic got his first taste of being a Philippine international. Coach Norman was again instrumental in Jovin’s first taste of club football, as he recruited the Iloilo-native to Pachanga in 2011.

When Pachanga went through a revamp, Bedic found himself left out, leading to a two-year spell without football. After a brief spell with Stallion, Jovin’s love for football started to diminish, leading to an imminent career shift away from the game. But a fateful phone call from Kaya General Manager Paul Tolentino altered his course, and he has since grown to become a marquee player for the club.

Bedic has received several call ups to the national team, notably scoring the equalizer against Thailand in the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup. He was also one of the club’s main contributors in Kaya’s title run during the inaugural tournament of the Copa Paulino Alcantara, scoring the winning goal against Davao Aguilas in the final. Off the pitch, here’s some trivia about Kaya’s #7:

• His favorite movie is the 2010 crime thriller film: The Town.
• His favourite song is Peace Man by Bamboo.
• His favorite cheat day meal is a healthy serving of lechon, while his go-to junk food are chips.
• His celebrity crush is Beyonce.
• His favorite footballer growing up was Zinedine Zidane.
• If he could have superpowers, he’d choose super-speed like the Flash. He mentioned using it to score goals quickly as soon his teammates pass the ball to his half of the field.
• And if he wasn’t a footballer, he’d be a seaman.

Former Azkals coach Sven-Göran Eriksson stated that Jovin is simply a player who makes things happen on the pitch. Bedic’s play revolves around his exquisite first touch, a great ability to use his body, and a keen eye for goals and open teammates. Entering his ninth year at the club, he has accumulated a wealth of experience playing at the highest levels of Philippine football. As the 30-year-old enters his footballing prime, 2021 could very well be Jovin Bedic’s most impressive season yet.