Yanti Armentia Barsales[1] (born February 6, 1973) is a Filipino footballer who plays as a forward. He currently is a free agent. He is notable for playing for Filipino club Philippine Air Force, in which he has played for over 29 years.
Early life and education
Yanti Barsales was born on February 6, 1973, and grew up in Magpet, North Cotabato. He would discover football when his family moved to Iloilo. He took up the sport when he was attending Iloilo State College of Fisheries (ISCF) in Tiwi, Barotac Nuevo, for his high school studies. He also simultaneously worked in the fishponds, improving his own physique at a young age.[2]
Club career
Barsales went on to play for the Barotac Nuevo team in the 1989 Coke Go-For-Goal national championship in the U16 division. His hometown team would reach the finals. Having a built more developed than his peers at the time, the rival team filed a formal protest against Barsales alleging he was overaged. The complaint was entertained but later dismissed. He would later help the Iloilo win the U19 Adidas Cup title and garnered the most valuable player award.[2]
Barsales, would become an enlisted personnel of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) was part of its club. He played for Air Force from 1994 until his retirement from military service in 2022.[2]
He retired from the national team in 2011 following the conclusion of the UFL Cup.[11]
Personal life
Barsales is married to Gemma Araneta with whom he has four children. Bersales in an Illongo which hails from Barotac Nuevo. In 2023, he was residing with his family in Angeles City.[2] Other relatives involved in football are Ian Araneta and Jovin Bedic, his stepbrother and nephew respectively.[12]