The Philippine women's national futsal team with PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio. Handout photo
MANILA -- The Philippine women's national futsal team drew praise from the chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission after their brave stand in the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup 2025.
The Filipina5 bowed out of the competition on Thursday night with a 1-5 loss to powerhouse Argentina, the sixth ranked team in the world.
Despite the loss -- and despite exiting with a 0-3 record -- the Filipina5 were applauded by the over 2,800 fans who came to the PhilSports Arena.
PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio also hailed the players and expressed his belief that the Philippines can catch up to the sport's global powers.
READ: Filipina5 wrap up Futsal World Cup campaign with loss to Argentina
"I was looking at Team Argentina. Nothing is different, same size, same physique. The only thing that's different is they've been doing it for 50 years. But if we put our minds and hearts into this, can we do it? Yes," he said.
Isabella Bandoja had given the Filipino fans a moment to cheer for in the second half, when her effort found the back of the net for the team's lone goal against Argentina.
Philippine Football Federation president John Gutierrez said Bandoja's goal was more than a piece of history -- it was a "statement" from their team.
"It is a statement that Filipinas can compete with the best. The PFF will continue to stand behind this team and ensure that futsal grows stronger in the Philippines. With heart, discipline, and belief, we can achieve more," he said.
The Filipina5 earlier lost to 0-6 Poland, another higher-ranked squad, then suffered a heartbreaking 2-3 defeat to Morocco where they squandered a two-goal advantage.
But Gregorio was pleased with the fight shown by the team in the inaugural tournament.
"This is historic, right? We hosted the first ever FIFA [Futsal] Women's World Cup. And we played so well," he said.
Gregorio stressed that they have a broader goal in hosting the tournament -- to develop futsal, to prove Filipinos can excel, and to showcase the country.
He recalled his late-night meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, where he pressed the case for football in the Philippines.
"We admit that football is the number one sport in the world. But how come we cannot engage and convince 112 million Filipinos to play the sport? How come football is not in the top three sports in the Philippines?" he said.
Infantino, he said, pledged to help make football a top three sport in the country with help from the PSC and the PFF.
"Because I believe in you, you have to believe, too. And if you believe, 112 million Filipinos will believe. And we're proud of you," Gregorio told the team.