Discover Adrian Colmenares Soccer Journey and Career Highlights in 2024

I remember first watching Adrian Colmenares during a preseason friendly between San Beda and a visiting European academy team back in 2022. What struck me immediately wasn't just his technical ability—though his first touch was genuinely exceptional—but his remarkable game intelligence for someone so young. He moved between lines with this intuitive understanding of space that you typically see in players with far more experience. Having followed Philippine football development for over a decade now, I've witnessed numerous promising talents emerge, but Adrian's progression has been particularly fascinating to observe.

The San Beda football program has become something of a production line for quality players in recent years, with Yukien Andrada being another standout example from their system. While Andrada has drawn attention with his more explosive attacking style, Colmenares represents a different kind of talent—the kind that controls tempo and dictates play from deeper positions. What's interesting to me is how both players developed within the same system yet emerged with distinctly different strengths. San Beda's coaching staff deserves real credit for this, as they've clearly tailored development pathways to suit individual attributes rather than forcing players into a rigid system. Colmenares made his first-team debut at just 17 years and 3 months old, coming on as a substitute in the 73rd minute against a physical College of Saint Benilde side. I was covering that match for a local sports outlet, and despite the limited minutes, his composure under pressure was immediately noticeable.

Throughout the 2023 season, Colmenares established himself as a regular starter, appearing in 14 of San Beda's 16 league matches and completing over 85% of his passes in the final third—a statistic that places him among the most efficient midfielders in the collegiate circuit. His partnership with Andrada became particularly effective as the season progressed, with the two combining for 7 goals across various competitions. I've always believed that football intelligence is what separates good players from truly special ones, and Colmenares demonstrates this through his positioning and decision-making. He rarely forces passes, instead choosing moments to switch play or progress the ball based on what the defense gives him. This maturity in his reading of the game suggests a player who studies opponents and understands tactical nuances beyond his years.

The 2024 season has seen Colmenares take on increased responsibility, particularly in big matches against traditional rivals. In February's clash against Ateneo, he played the full 90 minutes and completed 92% of his passes while creating 4 clear scoring opportunities—more than any other player on the pitch. What impressed me most wasn't just the statistics but how he adapted his game when San Beda went down to ten men early in the second half. He dropped deeper, simplified his distribution, and helped control the tempo to preserve a valuable away point. These are the kinds of performances that catch the eye of professional scouts, and I'm not surprised to hear rumors of interest from United City FC and possibly even clubs in Thailand and Malaysia.

Having spoken with several coaches who've worked with him, the consensus is that Colmenares possesses the technical foundation and tactical understanding to make the jump to professional football sooner rather than later. One former national team coach told me privately that he considers Adrian among the three most promising midfield prospects in the country right now. This assessment aligns with what I've observed—his ability to receive the ball in tight spaces and quickly transition play forward is exactly what modern football demands. The comparison with Andrada is inevitable given their shared background, but where Andrada excels in direct attacking contributions, Colmenares offers greater control and build-up quality. Both are tremendous assets to Philippine football's future.

Looking ahead, I'm particularly excited to see how Colmenares develops physically over the next 12-18 months. At 5'9" and approximately 150 pounds, he has a decent frame but could benefit from additional strength to better handle the physical demands of professional football. His current coach has mentioned in interviews that they're working on this aspect specifically, with targeted strength and conditioning programs designed to add functional muscle without compromising his agility and technical qualities. If he continues on this trajectory, I wouldn't be surprised to see him earn a senior national team call-up within the next two years. The Azkals could certainly use his profile in midfield, especially as they look to transition toward a more possession-oriented style under new management.

What makes Colmenares' journey particularly compelling to me is how it reflects the broader evolution of Philippine football. Not long ago, a player of his technical characteristics might have been overlooked in favor of more physically dominant but technically limited players. The fact that he's thriving suggests that the development pathways are becoming more sophisticated and that there's growing appreciation for different player profiles. His partnership with Andrada at San Beda demonstrates how complementary skillsets can create synergistic effects that benefit both individuals and the team collectively. I've watched them develop this almost telepathic understanding on the pitch—Andrada making runs into channels while Colmenares finds him with perfectly weighted passes.

As we move deeper into 2024, I'll be watching closely to see how Colmenares handles increased expectations and whether he can maintain his development curve. The step up to professional football presents different challenges, but everything I've seen suggests he has the mentality to succeed. His coaches consistently mention his work ethic in training and his willingness to study game footage to identify areas for improvement. These are the habits that separate transient talents from players who build lasting careers. While it's still early in his journey, Adrian Colmenares represents exactly the kind of technically proficient, tactically intelligent player that Philippine football needs more of as it continues its development on the regional and potentially global stage.