Malditas confident of strong SEAG showing

The Philippine Malditas, bannered by seasoned international campaigners and highly-touted new recruits, expressed confidence of a strong showing in the Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar in December.

One of the few teams to make the criteria set by the SEAG Task Force, the Malditas are expected to field the “strongest team ever” for the biennial tournament.

“We’re hoping we can do our best during the SEA Games and prove to everybody that Philippine football belongs in the SEA Games,” said Malditas coach Ernie Nierras at the launching of telecommunications giant Globe’s sponsorship of the team.

The Malditas are left to carry the cudgels for PH football, after the Under-23 Azkals failed to make the grade.

Apart from the core of the team that impressed in the AFC Asian Women’s Cup Qualifying early this year, Nierras said the Malditas will also have a 5-foot-10 striker in Natalia Anderson.

Nierras welcomed the partnership with Globe, which was made possible by its management group, MelMac Sports.

“We’ve been struggling all these times to get a sponsor,” said Nierras. “Now its our opportunity to represent PH football in the SEA Games.”

Globe president and CEO Ernest Cu said the partnership goes beyond supporting the team with its needs.

“Our sports advocacy is not a mere sponsorship channel but it’s actually a long term partnership to develop sports programs for our Globe CSR Communities,” said Cu.

Glenn Estrella, Globe vice president for digital media, who has been tasked as the management representative for football, said they hope the partnership will lead to more exposure for the Malditas.

“We need to get them play more and more often and gain experience,” said Estrella. “This will help the next generation of national team players. That is our hope.”

Globe is also supporting the Philippine futsal team called the Muzangs in their campaign in the AFF Futsal Championships in Bangkok from Oct. 19 to 27.