How the UP men's football team expresses their love for their happy and healthy dogs

UP Men’s Football Team (UPMFT) makes sure their furbabies are in the best shape with the help of their trusted pet care product, TopBreed

On a bright Monday morning, the UP Men's Football Team (UPMFT) gathered in the dugout to eat breakfast and catch up with their teammates as they planned a fun day ahead.  Instead of their usual drills, they're wearing uniforms and playing football with dogs on the field.

It's a change of pace for a group that trains nearly every day while also pursuing their studies.  It is expected of the former UAAP football champions.  But this time, they're bonding over their shared love of dogs, taking turns assisting their teammates in watching over them.

UPMFT's pet parents understand what it's like to come home to a happy dog after a long day of training and schooling.  When their teammates meet the dogs, they get to experience the same positive energy.  Furthermore, thanks to the team's partnership with pet care brand TopBreed, student-athletes can feed their pets high-quality food.

For former UAAP football champs and loving pet parents, UP Men’s Football Team (UPMFT), TopBreed is a reliable and trustworthy brand for their dogs and puppies

Finding comfort in dogs

Football, like any other sport, can be physically demanding.  The pressure to represent one's university can also exacerbate the challenge.  So, it's critical for UPMFT student athletes to find their zen, and one way they can do so is by spending time with their dogs.

“All of our dogs are always happy when we come home. I hug all of them.” ~Jared Florendo, Defender

Defender Jared Florendo has six dogs, all of whom are “malambing.”

UP Men’s Football Team’s (UPMFT) Joed Pleños with his fur baby, Coco

“They’re just always there when you need them. TopBreed is a reliable and trustworthy brand. Our dogs gained weight when we started feeding them TopBreed. We also saw that they’re happier and have more energy to play” ~Ken Saludez, Winger and defender

 

Dogs can also help people get out of the house more, especially if they need to relax after assignments and training.  This is what winger and defender Ken Saludez does with his three dogs: Coco the Shih Tzu, Churro the Mini Poodle, and Cola the Labrador.  He explains that walking and bathing dogs are family activities for them, emphasizing that this is how they bond on weekends. 

“My brothers and I are all athletes, so we love playing with Bigol whenever we’re home. I remember that I cried while studying and Bigol comforted me. I just hugged him until I was able to fall asleep.” ~Florenz Tacardon, Forward

More importantly, dogs can provide comfort to their owners, giving a calm presence when things become too overwhelming. For forward Florenz Tacardon and his brothers, their Beagle named Bigol’s “kulit” personality always perks them up when they’re tired. 

He also shares how Bigol became a source of comfort when a close teammate passed away two years ago.

Forward Josh Garces, who’s originally from Cebu, says he misses being able to talk to his dogs, Twix the Shih Tzu and Tisoy the Pug, when he needs someone to vent to “even though they don’t answer.”

UP Men’s Football Team (UPMFT) makes sure their furbabies are in the best shape with the help of their trusted pet care product, TopBreed

High-quality products for the best dogs

Dogs have an unrivalled capacity for love.  Although pets and playtime are often sufficient rewards, it is even better to provide them with high-quality dog food that provides overall nutrition, such as TopBreed Dog Food for Adult and Puppy.

All of the UPMFT players report that their previously picky dogs instantly adored TopBreed.  They noticed that their dogs looked healthier and were more active.  

“I sent over bags of TopBreed back home in Cebu. Whenever my parents send me photos of our dogs, I can see that they look healthy.” ~Josh Garces, Forward

Every great student-athlete is supported by loving family members and affectionate dogs who will never leave their side.  As the UPMFT players discovered, sometimes all they need to get by in their spare time is the playful nature of dogs - and TopBreed helps keep the furbabies in top condition.

TopBreed, a high-quality kibble for adult dogs and puppies, is from food manufacturing giant, Universal Robina Corporation (URC). The pet care brand recently earned the “Brand of the Year Award in the Dry Kibble Category” from the World Branding Awards in London. TopBreed products are available in select supermarkets nationwide, and via online stores.
 
To learn more about the TopBreed, visit its Instagram, Facebook and TikTok accounts.