Homegrown and rising: Meet the local core of Filipina5 for FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup

As the Philippines hosts the inaugural 2025 FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup, the Filipina5 will lean on a special group of players who came from local schools, community foundations, and homegrown football pathways.

They are the products of public fields, grassroots tournaments, UAAP battles, and the country’s slowly growing women’s football ecosystem.

Now, they are ready to make their mark on the global stage.

[ALSO READ: Filipina5’s Guillou, Flanigan, Sawicki make history as dual FIFA World Cup athletes]

Dionesa Tolentin

Hailing from Manukan, Zamboanga del Norte, Tolentin made her mark with the FEU Lady Tamaraw Booters, where she became team captain and helped deliver multiple UAAP championships. 

She earned MVP and Golden Boot honors before joining Kaya FC–Iloilo in the PFF Women’s League. Her transition to futsal has made her one of the most important pieces of the Filipina5 as they gear up for the World Cup.

Alisha Del Campo 

A standout from De La Salle Santiago Zobel and later De La Salle University, Del Campo rose through local ranks and debuted for the Philippine national football team at just 17 years old. 

Now, she brings her finishing ability and natural attacking instincts into futsal, giving the squad a reliable local-bred scorer.

Regine Rebosura

Rebosora played collegiate football for the FEU Lady Booters before making her name in local futsal circuits. She famously scored the championship-winning goal for the Capital1 Solar Strikers in the PAGSS Women’s Futsal Cup in 2025.

Charisa Lemoran

Lemoran is one of the most decorated homegrown talents in the pool. 

A product of the UST Lady Booters, she was named Best Midfielder in the 2016–17 PFF Women’s League and earned multiple Mythical XI selections. Her strong football résumé and tactical awareness give the Filipina5 a seasoned local playmaker.

Rocelle Mendaño

Mendaño represented De La Salle University and played a key role in leading the Lady Booters to the UAAP Season 87 finals, scoring in the championship match. 

From collegiate football to the country’s futsal squad, she now brings her energy, pace, and local experience to the world stage.

Lanie Ortillo 

Ortillo’s journey began at the Tuloy sa Don Bosco Foundation in Muntinlupa — one of the country’s most impactful grassroots football programs. 

She developed through Tuloy’s youth system and eventually shifted to futsal, earning a well-deserved spot on the Filipina5 roster.

Isabella Bandoja

Also a Tuloy FC product, Bandoja rose from the foundation’s girls’ football program to becoming one of the top scorers in the PFF Women’s League. 

Her speed and creativity translate naturally to futsal’s tight-space gameplay, making her one of the squad’s exciting young homegrown picks.

Why this homegrown core matters

These seven players are more than names on a lineup. 

Coming from local schools, universities, and community programs, they represent the progress of Philippine women’s football and futsal from the ground up.

Now, they’re stepping into a FIFA World Cup that the country itself is hosting. 

Their presence shows young Filipinas everywhere that the path from local leagues to the world stage isn’t just possible — it’s happening.

The Filipinas5 open their Futsal World Cup campaign against Poland later at 8:30 p.m. at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. It will be aired via livestream on Pilipinas Live and shown on One Sports.

[ALSO READ: SCHEDULE | Filipina5 competes for Philippines in first-ever FIFA Women's Futsal World Cup]

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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.

Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.