World Cup returnee Filipinas named Athletes of the Year
- Rodolfo Dacleson II
- Mar 25
- 2 min read
The Philippine women's national football team received the Athletes of the Year honor during the 3rd All Women's Sports Awards at the Philippine International Convention Center on March 20.
It came a day after the Filipinas secured back-to-back World Cup qualification through their 2-0 win over Uzbekistan in the play-in round of the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup.
The recognition was bestowed by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Commission on Women in celebration of the annual International Women's Month this March.
“The award underscores the steady growth of women’s football in the Philippines, as the Filipinas continue to break barriers and inspire a new generation of athletes,” said the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) in a media release.
In 2022, the then-called Malditas qualified for the global showpiece after reaching the semifinals of the Asian Cup — the country's best finish in the quadrennial meet.
Their maiden World Cup in 2023 was nothing short of monumental as they respectably bowed out of the group stages with a historic 1-0 victory against host New Zealand behind Sarina Bolden's header.
ALSO READ: Herstory made: Thanks to Bolden, PH claims first FIFA Women's World Cup win over New Zealand
It wasn't the last time the Filipinas have made the Philippines proud.
Last December, they bagged the country's first-ever gold medal in Southeast Asian Games history across all football competitions.
Goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel was also honored with a Major Award, while former Filipinas captain Inna Palacios got the Lifetime Award for their contributions to the national team's rise on the international stage.
“Whenever I play for the country, I make sure to give everything I have because not many people get to do this. Maraming salamat sa suporta. Para sa bayan!” said McDaniel, who's been the Filipinas' primary keeper since 2021, as quoted by the PFF.
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