And The Designated Kit Man is back. I have taken a brief, but very fulfilling detour which I would always be forever grateful for. Life is not just about the beautiful game, there is more to it, but for now let’s get back to our regular programming so to speak.
The good news first. It is going to be a very busy next few weeks for Stallion Laguna FC, which is always a good problem for its women’s and men’s teams. But before anything else, congratulations to Coach Clint McDaniel, Filbert Alquiros, Ernie Nierras and the Stallion Laguna FC for punching a ticket into the next round of the AFC Women’s Champions League (AFCWCL) 2025|26.
Despite losing its last game against ISPE WFC of Myanmar, 3-1, the Philippine side is through the group stage after finishing as the best runners-up among the five groups. Draw for the next round is set this September 11 and action resumes on November 9.
Nierras, who is the president and head coach of the team, said that the girls are in high spirits and are currently on a break after a gruelling schedule that saw some of them competing in back-to-back tournaments. Aside from the elimination round in the AFCWCL, several players represented the three stars and the sun in an international tournament. The team also needed to dig deep just to make sure that it would eventually secure the best runners up in the elimination round if the original plan is no longer possible. This is the reason why they went all out for 13 goals against the hapless Bank of Guam Strykers FC that cushioned the impact of the loss against the eventual group winners from Myanmar.
He said the club will conduct tryouts in the next few days to further bolster the club’s historic foray in the group stages of the biggest women’s club tournament in the continent.
“Right now, we are actually identifying additional and potential players that we need. Honestly, kulang kami, dalawa lang ang goalkeeper namin. So we need some players to add to the roster,” he explained.
With Stallion completing the cast of the 12-team group stage, the group stage will be held in three locations – Vietnam, Myanmar and Wuhan in China. The Philippines is currently in pot 3.
“We are hoping to get a good draw. Sana hindi natin makasama ang Tokyo Verdy Beleza of Japan kasi kahit saan mapunta ang team na ito sigurado group death agad ‘yun. Importante kasi kung sino ang makakasama natin, especially the top team and the fourth team in our group,” Nierras explained.
Aside from Stallion Laguna FC, the other teams searching for a quarterfinals’ berth include top favorite Wuhan Jianda of China, Melbourne City WFC, Suwon WFC of South Korea, Ho Chi Minh City WFC and Bam Khatoon WFC of Iran.
Also catching the last bus were PFC Nasaf of Uzbekistan, Naegohyang WFC of North Korea, Lion City Sailors of Singapore, East Bengal WFC of India and ISPE WFC.
Good results in the group stage for Stallion Laguna FC will definitely boost local women’s football.
“This is very important for Philippine football and our team is doing everything it can to help women’s football, our women’s national team ranking and everything. Even though it’s a club competition, we can still impact both the national team and Kaya’s draw for next year,” he said. As it is, his players will be match ready anytime there is a need to report for national team duties.
Speaking of impact, former Filipinas team manager Jeff Cheng is enjoying backing up from the sidelines and away from the limelight several women’s teams not only in football, but in other sports as well.
“Tuluy-tuloy naman ang suporta, but in a different capacity and not so much with the national team, but more focus is on how to support the grassroots’ development of football through various tournaments. Du’n naman kasi manggagaling mga national players natin so in a way it’s like helping provide for these players a pathway towards the national teams.
He said that by doing these sans fanfare, he still finds fulfillment in helping grow the sport in whatever way he can.
“I think more and more people are getting interested in the women’s game. Ma-sustain lang sana ang momentum and we are doing our share to ensure this. I believe this is the way to further improve the skills and level of the women’s game. Dapat may competitions, may mga tournament,” Cheng said.
With regards to the national team, Cheng, however, would rather keep mum on several issues allegedly hounding the Filipinas.
“I can’t comment because I’m not aware of what’s happening inside. Pero mas makakatulong talaga if they’re able to have more camps either here in the country or overseas. It would also help if the team can compete in more tournaments, not only in the AFF and AFC sanctioned competitions, but friendlies, too,” he explained.
More importantly, he is also hoping that the Filipinas will have opportunities to be together. “I still believe in the players. Fight lang, alam mo naman sa football dapat may konting suwerte at timing din,” Cheng said.
When asked if he is still looking forward to rejoining the team, he said that he is not completely shutting his door on the possibility of supporting the national women’s football team once more, just not now.
“I think, hopefully, if the right people, the right coaches and the right environment will be there, I’m sure we can be there again,” he added.
Aside from supporting Stallion Laguna WFC, Cheng also bankrolled the Philippine Padel Team’s title-winning run in the recently concluded Turkish Airlines Pacific Padel Cup.
For the bad news, there’s plenty. And I don’t want to dwell on them further.
Not yet.
Advice lang po, puwede po mag Waze para hindi maligaw sa CALAX.
Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!
For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat
