| Chester Pabualan | |
| Fullname: | Chester Gio Angeles Pabualan[1] |
| Birth Date: | April 29, 1999 |
| Birth Place: | Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, Philippines |
| Height: | 1.65 m |
| Currentclub: | United City |
| Clubnumber: | 25 |
| Position: | Winger |
| Youthclubs1: | Del Monte School |
| Youthyears2: | 2015–2018 |
| Youthclubs2: | FEU Baby Tamaraws |
| Collegeyears1: | 2019–2023 |
| College1: | Far Eastern University |
| Years1: | 2022 |
| Clubs1: | Azkals Development Team |
| Caps1: | 8 |
| Goals1: | 1 |
| Years2: | 2023–2024 |
| Clubs2: | Philippine Air Force |
| Caps2: | 0 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Years3: | 2024– |
| Clubs3: | United City |
| Caps3: | 3 |
| Goals3: | 2 |
| Nationalyears1: | 2013 |
| Nationalteam1: | Philippines U17 |
| Nationalcaps1: | 1 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 0 |
| Nationalyears2: | 2018 |
| Nationalteam2: | Philippines U19 |
| Nationalcaps2: | 5 |
| Nationalgoals2: | 1 |
| Nationalyears3: | 2023– |
| Nationalteam3: | Philippines |
| Nationalcaps3: | 1 |
| Nationalgoals3: | 0 |
| Pcupdate: | 5:35, 5 May 2024 (UTC) |
| Ntupdate: | 5:35, August 30, 2023 (UTC) |
Chester Gio Angeles Pabualan (born 29 April 1999) is a Filipino professional footballer who plays as a winger for United City and the Philippines national team.
Pabualan was born in Manolo Fortich in the province of Bukidnon. Before joining FEU, he played high school football for Del Monte School in Manolo Fortich.[2] His favorite footballers are Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Özil.[3]
In 2015, Pabualan played for the High School team of Far Eastern University nicknamed the Baby Tamaraws, winning 4 straight UAAP titles while winning multiple MVPs, Best Midfielder, and Best Striker awards.[4] [5] [6] [7] At the 2016 Palarong Pambansa, he won Gold with the NCR region.[8] In 2019, he joined the college team of FEU.[9] [10]
While also playing for the ADT of the Philippines Football League, he captained them to their first UAAP title in 8 years in 2023,[11] winning the awards for both best striker and best midfielder, and finishing as the tournament's top scorer with 8 goals.[12] [13] [14] In a single game against University of the East, he notched 5 goal contributions, scoring two and assisting three.[15]
In 2022, he signed with the Azkals Development Team of the PFL, since the UAAP had yet to resume after being cancelled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in early 2020. He made his debut in the club's opening match in the 2022 Copa Paulino Alcantara, a 3–0 win over Mendiola 1991. He would go on to stay with the club despite a number of changes due to a change in ownership before the 2022–23 PFL season, scoring his first goal in a 4–0 win over Maharlika Manila.[16]
In 2023, after finishing his college career with FEU, he joined former UFL champions and current Ang Liga side Philippine Air Force, suiting up alongside former Azkals players like Yanti Barsales. He made his debut in the opening match of the cup, a 1–0 win over Don Bosco Garelli.[17]
Before officially playing for the youth teams of the Philippines, Pabualan was part of a group nicknamed the "Little Azkals" that had training camps in other countries, with players that were meant to be the future of the Philippine team.[18] [19] He officially played for the Philippines U17 in the 2013 AFF U16 Championship, making his debut in a 6–0 loss to Myanmar as a substitute in the 57th minute.[20]
Pabualan was called up again, this time to the Philippines U19, for the 2018 AFF U19 Championship in Surabaya. He played all five matches, and scored a free kick to put the Philippines ahead against Indonesia before eventually succumbing 5–1.[21] [22]
Pabualan was first called up to the Philippines senior team in November 2022, when he was part of the provisional squad for the 2022 AFF Championship, though he did not make the cut.[23] [24] In June 2023, he was called up by returning Azkals coach Michael Weiß for the Azkals' friendlies against Nepal and Chinese Taipei, making his debut in the second half against the latter, replacing Jarvey Gayoso in the 2nd half.[25] [26] [27]