As a regular roster member for Guam’s national soccer program and the 2023-2024 high school championship to his credit, Erwin, EJ, Manibusan is ready to take his game to the next level.
After a storied career playing for the Father Duenas Memorial School Friars soccer team, the 17-year-old has signed to play for the California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt Lumberjacks, in Humboldt, California.
“With Cal Poly Humboldt, it’s going to be a great opportunity to play at a high level and get an education,” Manibusan said. “It’s going to be challenging to adapt to the speed and intensity at that level, but I’m really excited with this opportunity.”
Throughout Manibusan’s career, his unselfish, determined style of play quickly earned respect from teammates, other players and opposing teams' coaching staffs.
Lumberjacks head coach Fred Jungemann learned about Manibusan's attributes as an athlete and as a person and felt he would pair nicely with the NCAA Division II program, which competes in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.
“There were several parts to our decision to offer EJ an opportunity at Cal Poly Humboldt. The first partresideswithin the fact he is a very good soccer player. Even within the soccer piece though, there are different aspects of his game we were drawn to which included his work ethic, his positive attitude, and the unselfish nature of his style of play. The other part of the decision was just as important, if not more so, and that was who he is as a person,” Jungemann said. “Our team culture is a very important aspect to our program and we are actively recruiting quality people who are capable of contributing to and strengthening that culture."
“As much as EJ is a very good soccer player, he may be an even better person. Ultimately, that is why it became apparent to us, EJ would be a great fit for our program.”
On his journey to advancing to the next level, several coaches helped develop his game for college and beyond. Manibusan told The Guam Daily Post that his high school coach, Keith Dickson, Guam national football team captain Jason Cunliffe, National program coach Dom Gadia, and stateside coach Mike Pellicio were instrumental in cultivating his game.
“I want to thank coach Jason, as he really has helped me improve my overall game and mentality. I also want to thank coach Mike, who gave me the opportunity to train in the states and get recruited, and coach Keith for coaching me during high school. I also want to thank my teammates at FD and the national team for pushing me to be a better player,” Manibusan said.
Manibusan also thanked his greatest supporters: his family.
“I’m extremely grateful to my parents for sacrificing a lot for me to chase my dreams and my family for their continued support,” he said.
Eureka! They discovered a gem!
In order to raise his player profile and visibility for college programs, Manibusan spent last summer playing in Spokane, Washington. Jungemann told the Post that it led to his discovery.
“The coach of one of the teams EJ played for, Mike Pellicio, is a friend of ours and was the first to initially recommend EJ,” Jungemann said. “One of our alumni, Bryan Hernandez, also coached with another club EJ played for and I believe even played with him a bit.Bryan also spoke highly of EJ which only helped solidify our interest in him.”
With Manibusan’s first college game slated for Aug. 22, 2024, where Humboldt will play an exhibition match against the Oregon Institute of Technology Owls, his college debut will afford him and his coaching staff a chance to evaluate his game as the soon-to-be Friars graduate folds his game into the Cal Poly program.
“In the short term, we don't have much in the way of expectations for EJ other than fitting into our team culture. We know he is a good player and has the potential to impact our program,” Jungemann said. “Our level is very competitive though and requires a strong mentality on top of everything else, to find success.Some players take to it faster than others.”
“In the end, EJ will have to show up and compete to find his place in our program. If he can do that sooner than later, all the better,” he said.
