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Azkal Simone Rota enjoys his long journey back home

One day a few months ago in Emperador, Azkals coach Thomas Dooley was taking in the UFL action action. On the pitch a tall, powerful defender caught his eye.

The American coach circled the name “Simone Rota” on the start sheet and scribbled down “good back-up,” presumably to give cover to veteran centerbacks Rob Gier and Juani Guirado. But soon after, Dooley was using Rota more than just an insurance. The Filipino-Italian was starting at right back in full international matches for the Azkals against Malaysia and Azerbaijan, then recently, against Nepal as well.

The caps were a culmination of a strange and wonderful story that began 29 years ago here in Metro Manila when a young Filipina, very much in distress, handed over her months-old baby to an Italian Franciscan nun doing charity work in the Philippines.

“He was a well-nourished baby” recalls Sister May Memorial, who saw the little Simone back then when she was still a young nun. The baby was eventually shipped over to Italy to be adopted and raised by Maurizio and Marilena Rota, a devoutly religious husband-and-wife taxi-driving couple in Milan. Simone also has an adopted Filipina sister, Valentina, who is his age.

Rota, like all Italian boys, took a shine to the Beautiful Game, and was good enough to represent Italy in the Azzuri's U21 level. He's an AC Milan supporter, by the way, and says in his evolving English that “In Milan, there is only one team, and it's Milan.” (Inter fans might beg to differ.)

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Simone played most of his career with Italian outfit Pro Sesto in the third and fourth tiers of the Italian Football pyramid, known as Serie C1 and Serie C2 (pronounced “Serie Chee” in case you're wondering). He also had loan spells with Lugano in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland as well as with Manfredonia.

But in spite of his success in Italy, there was something missing in Rota's life. An insatiable curiosity and yearning seemed to follow him.

“There was always a longing in his heart to come to the Philippines, where he was born” says Sister May, who serves as his interpreter. Memorial learned Italian from living in Italy for many years for her studies and runs the Buklod Kalinga para sa Kapwa Mission. Sister May also serves as his “mom in the Philippines” she says with a smile. Rota stays in Buklod's complex in Better Living, Parañaque. Memorial says that Buklod keeps in touch with all of the kids they set up for legal adoption in Italy, which is why the linkage was made when he came to the Philippines.

Upon the prodding of Selu Lozano, Rota came to the Philippines in January for the first time since he was born. He came to play in the UFL but more importantly, to see the land of his birth. It's obviously been a meaningful experience for him. On his forearm is a tattoo of the Philippine archipelago along with names of the members of his family and November 6, 1984, his birthday.

Rota helps out in Buklod Kalinga para sa Kapwa's mission by cooking arroz caldo for the children they feed every day (150 in Parañaque and more than a thousand in Calauan, Laguna) and helping out in simple carpentry. His bond with the children is strong in spite of the language barrier. It's obvious as he plays with Chiara, another young girl surrendered to the mission, who will likely find a loving home in Italy like hundreds before them that have passed through Buklod.

“Mabait talaga si Simone. Wala ka talagang masabi tungkol sa kanya” says Sister May. (Simone is a really good kid. You can't say anything (bad) about him.)

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Memorial says that the children in Buklod watch Rota on TV and egg him on through the TV, shouting and screaming when he gets knocked down. Rota also plans to help teach some of the Buklod kids football with the help of Salesian priests nearby.

Sister May says Rota loves the Philippines because, just like back home, the people are accommodating and give importance to family and to religion. Rota and his visiting girlfirend, Fabiola, saw that devotion up close last week when they witnessed the flagellations and crucifixions in Pampanga. Fabiola, a Clinical Psychologist, will also do some volunteering in the country.

Rota is also discovering the joy of playing for the national squad. He rates Dooley highly and when asked about what the German-American has taught him, he answers “mentalità” (mentality.)

The Filipino-Italian also admires his club and country team mate Ruben “Balot” Doctora, who was his roommate in recent Azkals trips. Rota lauds his incredible focus on the task at hand on and off the pitch. He also thinks Martin Steuble is a standout player.

With previous right backs Carlie De Murga and Jerry Barbaso only recently getting back into form from injuries, Rota's emergence with the Azkals could not have come at a better time. No doubt he will be called upon to shut down the right flank in Maldives as well as bomb down to help out on offense.

When asked about his style of play, Rota, in his broken English, replies “simple, and run.” He idolizes Real Madrid's speedy Gareth Bale, who like him, is a wingback with attacking proclivities.

Amazingly, this all could've happened a long time ago. Rota says that he was asked by the PFF to play for the Azkals way back in 2004 or 2005, but since his club wouldn't let him go for three weeks, it didn't push through.

But there's nothing stopping Simone Rota now. He's come to the land of his birth and discovered a nation that welcomes him and his awesome game. Next month in Maldives, his journey back to the Philippines could reach its summit if he helps the Azkals win the AFC Challenge Cup.

Follow Bob on Twitter @PassionateFanPH.