Katrina Guillou (left) and Bella Flanigan were added to the national squad. —PFF
The Philippine Football Federation on Tuesday officially introduced the new national team for next week’s AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup Qualifiers, the latest twist in a saga surrounding the sport’s local governing body and its now-former backer, which stemmed from a training camp scheduling over the holidays.
PFF president John Gutierrez opted to keep mum on the issue during the team’s official sendoff, which saw the introduction of Spaniard coach Rafa Merino as replacement for Dutch-born Vic Hermans and the addition of several players from the national women’s football team.
As this new makeup was formalized, philanthropist Danny Moran, who had been backing the futsal program, sent the PFF a demand letter to cease the use of the moniker, “Pinay5.”
The moniker, Moran said, is trademarked by the Henry V. Moran Foundation which he chairs.
The biggest reason for the split was Hermans and Moran initially calling for a January camp in preparation for the Qualifiers. They were left perplexed when the PFF decided to hold an earlier camp instead.
Adding to the confusion was Hermans being removed as women’s team coach, even though he remains coach of the men’s side.
Moran initially asked the PFF for reconsideration, but the federation opted to proceed with a talent identification camp held last Dec. 26 to 30 under Merino, who has experience coaching futsal clubs in Spain.
“We want to shield the players from the controversy,” Gutierrez told the media at Studio 300 in Makati City. He said he would address the issue upon the conclusion of the team’s campaign in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
“I promised everyone, when the girls come back from Uzbekistan, I would personally give each and every one a sit-down, one-on-one interview, and answer any questions you might have with regards to anything futsal, okay?” Gutierrez also told those covering the event.
‘Please behave’
“In other words, please behave,” he blatantly said.
Katrina Guillou and Bella Flanigan, who were part of the Philippines’ campaign in the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup, lead the 14-player squad for the Qualifiers set on Jan. 11 to 19 where the country will compete in Group C.
The Philippines will face group host Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Australia and Kuwait, needing a top two finish or possibly a third-place showing in order to compete in the Asian Cup slated in May in China.
Other members of the team are Sara Castañeda, Sheen Borres, Shelah Mae Cadag, Judy Connolly, Alisha del Campo, Cathrine Graversen, Samantha Hughes, Rocelle Mendano, Vrendelle Nuera, Regine Rebosura, Kayla Santiago and Dionesa Tolentin.
Of those who will play in Uzbekistan, only Connolly, Graversen, Del Campo, Hughes and Nuera were part of the team—coached by Hermans and managed by Moran—that competed in the 2024 Asean Football Federation version at Philsports Arena in Pasig City. INQ