Pinay futsal team stays focused

MANILA, Philippines — The national women’s futsal team formally opened its training camp last Saturday despite the unceremonious transfer of its coach – Vic Hermans – to the men’s team during the holidays.

Pinay5 team manager Daniel Moran said they pushed through with their four-day training camp at the Tuloy sa Don Bosco Foundation in Muntinlupa City to show the players that they are committed to their goal of representing the country in the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup that the country will host this November.

A total of 12 of the 14 players showed up led by team captain Isabella Bandoja, who earlier expressed her intention to resign from the national team if the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) will push through its plan of replacing Hermans with a new coach.

Also staying with the Pinay5 are Agot Danton, Jada Louise Bicierro, Erissa Rivas, Kaycee Nañola, Joanna Vega, Angelica Teves, Lanie Ortillo, Louraine Evangelista, Mykaella Abeto, Demely Rollon and Althea Rebosura.

Moran said they are pushing through with the program not to defy the PFF, but to recognize the hard work and the sacrifices that the players put in just to gain a once in a lifetime opportunity to vie for a spot in the team that will compete against the best futsal players in the world.