Youth will take center stage for the Philippine men’s national football team when it begins its campaign in the inaugural ASEAN Hyundai Cup after head coach Carles Cuadrat named a squad featuring several new faces alongside a core of experienced internationals.

With a number of regulars unavailable due to club commitments, the Philippines will rely on a younger roster as it aims to build on its semifinal finish in the 2024 edition of Southeast Asia’s premier men’s football tournament.

Among those receiving opportunities are forwards Raphael Ritarita, Andres Aldeguer, Aarran Long, and Martini Rey, goalkeeper Enrico Mangaoang, defenders Jaime Rosquillo and John Lucero, midfielder Gavin Muens, and overseas-based prospects Noah Leddel and Kenji Nishioka.

Ritarita, 19, arrives after playing for Crown Legacy in MLS Next Pro in the United States, while Mangaoang has been making his mark with UMAK-Aguilas in the local football scene.

Despite the influx of fresh talent, the squad will still lean on several familiar names.

Midfield playmaker Sandro Reyes headlines the returning core along with Javier Mariona, Jarvey Gayoso, Cole Mrowka, Andrei Leipold, and Santi Rublico.

The defense will be marshaled by veteran Daisuke Sato, with Christian Rontini, Adrian Ugelvik, Scott Woods, and Rosquillo providing additional cover at the back.

Pocholo Bugas and Oskari Kekkonen strengthen the midfield, while Patrick Deyto and Quincy Kammeraad give the Philippines experienced options in goal after Kammeraad’s impressive showing during the team’s 2024 semifinal run.

Several established national team players, however, will miss the tournament due to club commitments.

The Philippines opens its Group B campaign against Myanmar on July 28 at New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.

The Filipinos will then travel to Vientiane to face Laos on Aug. 1 before returning home to host group favorite Thailand on Aug. 4. They conclude the group stage on Aug. 8 against Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.

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BATANGAS CITY — Even before making her much-awaited Premier Volleyball League debut, Lams Lamina had already won over Galeries Tower head coach Aying Esteban with her work ethic and eagerness to learn.

Esteban revealed that since joining the Highrisers, Lamina has been one of the team’s most attentive learners, constantly seeking guidance from the coaching staff and her veteran teammates as she works to improve her game and familiarize herself with the team’s system.

“Kahit sa training, tanong siya nang tanong sa mga teammates niya, sa amin, kung ano ang nangyayari,” said Esteban.

“‘Yun ang maganda sa kanya, hindi siya nagsasarili. Kumbaga, lagi siyang ano na matuto doon sa team namin.”

Lamina made her much-anticipated preseason debut for Galeries Tower on Saturday night, providing steady minutes behind team captain Julia Coronel as the Highrisers outlasted Farm Fresh, 25-17, 24-26, 25-19, 26-24, at the Batangas City Sports Center here.

The former National University standout recorded seven excellent sets, capably directing the Highrisers’ second unit and ensuring the team maintained its offensive rhythm whenever the starters went to the bench.

(C) PVL Images

Lamina also displayed remarkable poise in crunch time. She first set up Lycha Ebon for the go-ahead attack that gave Galeries Tower a 25-24 lead before delivering a perfectly placed one-handed set to Roselle Baliton, who hammered home the match-clinching quick attack.

While pleased with Lamina’s early showing, Esteban emphasized that the 24-year-old still has plenty to learn, particularly when it comes to running the Highrisers’ offensive system with greater consistency.

“Meron pa ring mga sa system namin na kailangan niya i-adapt pa, pero siyempre sa process pa rin ‘yun,” said Esteban.

Esteban, who took over as Galeries Tower head coach midway through the season-ending All-Filipino Conference, is encouraged by the direction the Highrisers are taking as the team continues to build chemistry with its revamped roster.

Still, despite the promising start, he stressed that the preseason is all about growth and hopes the team will continue building on its progress with every match.

“Ang laki, ang laki na ng changes. Ang laking pagbabago sa mentality, pagdating sa training. Natutuwa ako kasi hindi sila nagsasawa sa kung anong ginagawa namin. Grateful ako sa kanila sa ganoong ginagawa nila sa team namin.”

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CANDON, Ilocos Sur — The Philippine Blu Girls pulled off a stunning walk-off upset over world No. 3 Puerto Rico, 5-4, before falling to No. 12 Great Britain, 5-0, in Friday’s doubleheader of the 2026 Women’s Softball World Cup Group Lima at the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Complex in Peru.

The split left the Philippines with a 1-3 record. Coupled with Venezuela’s 10-0 shutout of host Peru later in the day, the Blu Girls were eliminated from playoff contention.

Even with a victory over Peru in their final group-stage game at 9:00 AM (Manila time) on Saturday, the Philippines can only finish with a 2-3 record. That would not be enough to advance, as both Venezuela and Great Britain own the tiebreak advantage.

Still, the Blu Girls finally broke into the win column in dramatic fashion, erupting for four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to shock Puerto Rico, 5-4.

Down to their final out and trailing 4-1, the Filipinas mounted a remarkable comeback with two runners already in scoring position.

Sky Ellazar drove in Reyae Villamin and Charlotte Sales with a single to shallow center field, cutting the deficit to 4-3.

Alyssa Daniell then tied the game at 4-4 with an opposite-field double to left-center that scored Ellazar.

Moments later, Nicole Hammoude completed the comeback, ripping a line drive past Puerto Rico center fielder Eliana Enriquez to score the winning run.

The rally was backed by an outstanding all-around performance from the Blu Girls. Pitchers Sydney Vitangcol, Glory Alonzo, and Kikay Palma combined to hold Puerto Rico to just four hits, while the offense collected 11 hits. Ellazar, Daniell, Hammoude, and Sales each finished with two hits.

The Philippines, however, could not sustain that momentum against Great Britain.

British ace Georgina Corrick dominated the Blu Girls, tossing a one-hit complete game while issuing no walks. Pinch-hitter Vitangcol accounted for the Philippines’ lone hit with a single up the middle in the sixth inning. Without that hit, Corrick would have completed a perfect game.

Great Britain broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth, scoring all five of its runs with a two-out rally. Kaitlyn Parisi, Tia Warsop, Jahni Kerr, and Jenna Thompson each delivered RBI singles, while another run scored on a Philippine error.

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