Filipinas leaning on Pinoy trademarks to create bond with Mark Torcaso, other new coaches

Players and coaches come and go, but there will always be a home for them in the Philippines.

Comebacking defender Eva Madarang said this trait is key in the Philippine women's national football team's integration and adaptation for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

"We are a team that welcomes everyone," she said in an interview with Cignal TV on Thursday. "Just like our Filipino side is very welcoming as a family. I feel it helps a lot with the transition, especially with the coaching staff."

The Filipinas are now being coached by Mark Torcaso, the reigning A-League Women Coach of the Year for Western United, following the departure of Alen Stajcic. 

They have also welcomed familiar names to the Asian Games roster, such as longtime goalkeeper Inna Palacios and midfielder Camille Rodriguez, as some players from the FIFA Women's World Cup lineup had to suit up for their respective clubs or focus on their studies. 

Madarang herself is roaring to get back after not getting the call to the FIFA Women's World Cup. 

"Anything new, we're going through it together because of that orientation as a family," she reflected. "I feel like it helps a lot."

Another key trait of Filipinos is the undeniable love for singing. And yes, the Filipinas have tried to goad their Australian coach to do it.

"We have a little game," Madarang shared. "We tried to make coach sing. We're working on it."

While the core of the Filipinas is intact, Torcaso knows they still have a lot to work on. His goal is simple: To play as much football as possible and go as far as they could in the tournament. 

The world no. 44 Filipinas will kick off their Asian Games campaign this Friday at 4 p.m. against 77th ranked Hong Kong. They will then face powerhouse South Korea, ranked 20th in the world, on Monday, followed by world number 51 Myanmar on Thursday.

Catch the game between the Filipinas and Hong Kong live on One Sports, One Sports+, and the Pilipinas Live app.

(With reports from Paolo del Rosario, Cignal TV)

(PM)