Alexa Pino of the Philippines celebrates after converting a penalty against Malaysia in the women's football competition of the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, December 11, 2025 at the IPE Chonburi Stadium in Chonburi, Thailand. PFF-PWNFT
Rising star Alexa Pino has emerged as one of the top goal-scorers in the women's football tournament of the 2025 Southeast Asian Games after her heroics in their final group stage game.
The 18-year-old Pino netted a hat-trick against Malaysia on Thursday to power the Filipinas to a 6-0 triumph that propelled them to the semifinals.
Pino opened the scoring for the Philippines at the stroke of halftime, then added two more in the 53rd and 70th minutes. Afterward, however, she highlighted their effort as a team.
"It's not about the personal goals and stuff," said Pino, a product of the team's youth pipeline after starring for the under-17 squad.
"Our whole team, we all put the ball in the back of the net. And it took not just 11 of us, but everyone who even came out to pitch. For 90 minutes, even 98, I think it was. We all came out and played as hard as we could," she added.
READ: Filipinas clobber Malaysia to book place in football semis
Pino is tied with Thailand's Jiraporn Mongkodle, and Vietnam's Thai Thi Thao with three goals each after the group stage.
Mallie Ramirez, 21, is one of five players with two goals, along with Myanmar's May Htet Lu and Win Theingi Tun and Vietnam's Nguyen Thi Bich Tuy and Pham Hai Yen.
Aside from Pino, Ani Markey, Jessica Cowart and Anicka Castaneda were also on the scoresheet against Malaysia. It was a special moment for Markey, who also came up from the under-17 team and marked her senior debut with a goal.
Their performance drew praise from head coach Mark Torcaso, who said: "Pino is a special player. She's the future of our country, along with Jael Guy, Ari Markey, Bella Pasion."
Up next for the Filipinas is a showdown with Thailand in the semifinals, set for Sunday at the Chonburi Stadium.
Pino vows to be ready for what should be a tough match against the host nation.
"I'm going to play the same way I always play, and I'll tell them to bring it. If I'm marked by a few players, that means open space for my teammates to shine," she said.