Filipina5 skipper Inday Tolentin will be using their opening day loss to hosts Thailand as motivation in their SEA Games 2025 bid.
BANGKOK — Fresh from their historic campaign at the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, the Filipina5 were given a rude welcome to Thailand after suffering a 7-1 beatdown at the hands of the host country in the SEA Games 2025 at the Bangkok Thonburi Hall on Friday.
Even as they drilled the first goal of the match thanks to the tandem of skipper Inday Tolentin and Regine Rebosora at the 11th minute of the first period, the Filipina5 couldn’t sustain their momentum and fell flat — especially in the second half.
After trailing only by two, 1-3, at the end of the first half, the Filipina5 couldn’t stop the barrage from the Thais, with the home team scoring four goals in the second half en route to the lopsided win.
Tolentin was candid after the match and said that she hoped that the team will be able to quickly move on.
“Me as a captain, cheer up ko [lang] yung team. Lahat naman kami ng captains, apat kami, nandito kami para gabayan yung team. And tomorrow, kaya namin, babawi kami kasi alam namin kaya namin.” Tolentin told POC Media after the match.
“Pero yun nga, ang pangit ng result ngayon, sobrang heartbreaking para kami hiniwala yan ng... Alam nyo na, pero yeah, bukas lalaban kami, babawi kami dahil alam namin kaya namin.”
Keeping up the momentum
The SEA Games caps off a busy year for the Filipina5 — with the biennial meet coming just weeks after they made their first-ever appearance in the Futsal Women’s World Cup.
Despite the slow start, there are still a lot of positives to take from their whirlwind month.
“Sobrang importante po [nung preparation], kasi mabubuo namin yung chemistry namin na magkasama kami lahat as a team.” Tolentin said.
“Kailangan namin is mag-focus lang talaga at yung goal namin kung paano namin makuha yan.” she added.
The Filipina5 face off against Malaysia in their second Group A match in the same venue on Saturday, December 13.
—
Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.