The Philippine Football Federation underscored unity among its programs as different teams draw good results in their recent competitions.
Philippine Football Federation President John Gutierrez highlighted “sama-sama” mentality as key to victory on the heels of recent success of its men’s youth teams and the Filipinas.
Following the recent championship of the PMNFT U16 team at the Lion City Cup, the PMNFT U23’s historic semifinal bid at the AFF’s Mandiri Cup, and the Filipinas’ qualification to the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, Gutierrez praised the teamwork not just of the players, but of all parties involved.
“Great victories are never achieved alone, they are built together step by step via sama-sama mentality. This rally of togetherness is the heart of our success,” he said during the sendoff for the Filipinas ahead of the MSIG Serenity Cup.
“It unites players, coaches, officials, the government and the private sector, and most importantly the fans,” he added.
Having been at the helm of the PFF since November 2023, Gutierrez’s term comes after years of success under predecessor Mariano “Nonong” Araneta.
As expectations rise, the PFF’s current leadership took them in stride, striving to keep momentum and push for bigger goals and results as Philippine football levels up.
[READ: Filipinas target MSIG Serenity Cup title defense with youthful squad in Vietnam]
While teams have gotten through both ups and downs, Gutierrez stressed that working together among themselves and inside the community will be one of the biggest factors in ensuring that teams will be able to perform at their best.
“If we stay together, there is no limit of what Philippine football can achieve,” he said.
With more competitions in store, particularly for the Filipinas, Gutierrez reiterated the importance of supporting the teams. He also pushed the federation to go for bigger things ahead, especially as milestones call for better results in the future.
“We are in an exciting chapter of our football story. We have tasted victory, we have seen what is possible, and we know we can achieve more. The work is far from over,” said the 48-year-old.
“But let us take a short pause to celebrate these milestones towards the ultimate goal of putting Philippine football in the world map. Let us dream bigger, let us work harder and keep believing in each other in the spirit of sama-sama.”
In the immediate future for the PFF is the Filipinas competing in Vietnam this week to defend their MSIG Serenity Cup title. The tournament starts on Thursday when they face Timor Leste.
The country is also set to host the first-ever FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup later this year, which will mark a historic moment for the Philippine football community.