Asian Football Gateway

Jeremiah “JB” Borlongan is the quintessential modern Filipino winger—a technical maestro from Cagayan de Oro who has successfully bridged the gap between homegrown potential and professional excellence. Known for his tactical discipline, dead-ball precision, and psychological resilience, Borlongan has evolved from a child prodigy in the “Little Azkals” program into a multi-titled collegiate star and the creative cornerstone of Dynamic Herb Cebu FC’s rise. As a senior international, he represents the vanguard of a new, inclusive era for Philippine football, proving that domestic grassroots pathways can produce elite talent capable of competing on the continental stage.

At a Glance

• Full Name: Jeremiah Chabon Borlongan
• Date of Birth: December 8, 1998
• Place of Birth: Cagayan de Oro, Philippines
• Position: Left Winger (Inverted)
• Current Club: Dynamic Herb Cebu FC
• National Team: Philippines (Senior Team)

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The Story So Far

Jeremiah Borlongan’s journey is a uniquely Filipino narrative, forged far from the elite academies of Europe on the dust-laden pitches of Northern Mindanao. The son of a respected coach, Borlongan received early exposure to structured tactical concepts, developing the low center of gravity and close ball control that would become his professional trademarks while playing for Abba’s Orchard School.

In 2011, he was selected for the ambitious “Little Azkals” program, becoming the first player from Cagayan de Oro to join the national elite youth ranks. This selection exposed him to international standards through training camps in Italy and Japan, where he transitioned from an individualistic youth dribbler to a tactically disciplined system player.

Borlongan’s collegiate career at the University of the Philippines (UP) was nothing short of legendary. Recruited by Anto Gonzales to overthrow the established Manila powers, Borlongan became a rookie champion in UAAP Season 78. His collegiate legacy was cemented in Season 80, where he earned a reputation as a dead-ball specialist after a famous long-range screamer against National University and provided the championship-winning assist in the final against UST.

After the COVID-19 pandemic nearly forced him to walk away from the sport, Borlongan found a second wind with the newly formed Dynamic Herb Cebu FC in 2021. He quickly became the creative engine of the club, leading them to a runner-up PFL finish in 2022-23 with a league-high eight assists and participating in historic continental campaigns in the AFC Cup/AFC Champions League Two. His domestic success culminated in May 2025, when he helped Cebu secure its first major professional trophy: the PFL Finals Series Championship.

On the international stage, Borlongan’s persistence finally paid off on September 4, 2024, when he made his senior debut for the Philippines against Malaysia at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, fulfilling a dream a decade in the making.

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Style of Play & Tactical Analysis

Borlongan operates primarily as an inverted left winger. Despite being right-footed, he thrives on the left flank, where his natural movement allows him to cut into half-spaces, dragging defenders out of position and creating overlapping opportunities for fullbacks.

• Set-Piece Specialization: He is regarded as one of the premier dead-ball specialists in the PFL. His technique emphasizes whip and dip, making him the primary corner and free-kick taker for Cebu FC.
• Creative Vision: Unlike traditional wingers who hug the byline, Borlongan often delivers crosses from deeper positions (Zone 14), requiring exceptional weight of pass and vision.
• Technical Agility: Standing at 1.68m, his low center of gravity allows him to evade tackles in tight spaces using body feints and quick touches rather than raw sprinting speed.
• Defensive Work Rate: Under coaches like Glenn Ramos, Borlongan has refined his defensive positioning, frequently tracking back to double-team opposition wingers and maintain the team’s defensive structure.

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Future Outlook

As of early 2026, Borlongan is entering his prime as both a domestic leader and an international asset. His recent exposure to elite Asian competition in the AFC Champions League Two has forced a further refinement of his transition speed and defensive awareness. For the Philippine national team, he has moved from a last man cut to a consistent senior presence, aiming to cement his starting role for upcoming regional championships. Beyond his personal statistics, Borlongan is focused on inspiring the “Oro boys” of Mindanao, serving as a living proof that the homegrown pathway is a viable route to the pinnacle of Asian football.

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The Trophy Case (Honours)

Competition	Achievement	Year(s)
PFL Finals Series	Champion	2025
UAAP (Collegiate)	Champion	2016, 2018
Ang Liga	Champion	2018
Philippines Football League	Runner-up	2022–23, 2024

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The Record (Career Statistics)

Season	Competition	Apps	Goals	Assists	Achievement
2021	Copa Paulino Alcantara	3	0	0	Semi-finalist
2022	Copa Paulino Alcantara	4	1	1	4th Place
2022–23	Philippines Football League	20	4	8	Runner-up
2023–24	AFC Cup	6	0	1	Group Stage
2024	Philippines Football League	12	2	3	Runner-up
2024–25	AFC Champions League 2	4	0	0	Group Stage
2024–25	PFL Finals Series	2	0	0	Champion

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