AT A GLANCE
The Women’s Cup is playing on its second weekend as the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) continues to strengthen its women’s football program to keep the momentum of the country’s qualification to the FIFA Women’s World Cup last year.
The Women’s Cup is playing on its second weekend as the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) continues to strengthen its women’s football program to keep the momentum of the country’s qualification to the FIFA Women’s World Cup last year.
PFF general secretary Angelico Mercader told Friday’s press conference that the federation’s women’s national team program will always be tops in the agenda and the Women’s Cup is proof of the federation’s mission to achieve its goal.
Coca-Cola, Mercader said, is an important partner for the endeavor.
“We’re very happy that for the second consecutive year, Coca-Cola has been a great supporter of the Women’s Cup heading to next year’s Women’s League that gives our women players the opportunity to play in a high level of competition,” said Mercader in the press conference at the Coca-Cola Philippine headquarters at the Bonifacio Global City.
Six teams—Kaya Football Club (FC) Iloilo, Stallion Laguna FC, Manila Digger FC, Beach Hut, Tuloy FC and Azzuri SC—are seeing action in the Women’s Cup that plays 10 match days at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on weekends.
Manila Digger beat Stallion Laguna, 2-1, and Beach Hut defeated Azzuri SC, 5-1, last weekend to kick off action in the event that is a prelude to the bigger PFF Women’s League Mercader said could be held in the first half of 2025.
Coca-Cola vice-president for Philippine operations Pablo Medina Noriega said that Filipino players have already proven that they can compete on the global after making it to the FIFA Women’s World Cup last year.
“Coca-Cola has always been a strong supporter of women in sports,” Noriega said. “So what we all aspire to do with the PFF is to help improve and provide these young women with the opportunities and resources so they can succeed both in and out of the pitch.”
The women’s national team, called Filipinas, made an impact in the World Cup when they beat co-host New Zealand, 1-0, a victory that resonated in football’s global stage.
With Mercader and Noriega in the press conference were PFF national team director Freddy Gonzalez and competitions committee chair Lovely Tababa as well as national players Isabella Passion, Sofia Harrison, Reena Balajadia, Isabella Bandoja, Olivia McDaniel, Chandler McDaniel, Mary Christine Duran, Hazel Lustan, Hali Long, Inna Palacios, Quinley Quezada and Rhea Chan.
