THE Philippine national women’s futsal won’t be using the moniker Pinay5 in its coming campaign Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Futsal Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers.
Officials of the Philippine Football Federation said this after they named Spanish coach Rafa Merino Rodriguez to handle a new set of players that will make up the squad.
“We just adopted that name when the players (of the previous members of the team) used it. But it was trademarked. And now, we have no intention of using the name Pinay5,” said PFF general secretary general Gelix Mercader.
Mercader said this before Team Philippines and Merino left for AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers on Tuesday. The meet will be held from Jan. 11 to 19 at the Yunusobod Sports Complex in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The 35-year-old Merino took over from Vic Hermans last Dec. 26, three days after the latter was relieved from his duties, following Team Philippines’ bad showing in the recent 2024 ASEAN Women’s Futsal Championship.
“I’m excited to be in the Philippine team. I’m excited to do what I can for this team,” said Merino, who talked about his responsibilities with the national squad.
The changes in the composition of the squad and its coaches drew the ire of former manager Daniel Moran and his supporters.
A letter from Moran was sent to the PFF, expressing his concerns over the usage of the name Pinay5.
Moran and his group was responsible for the formation of the first batch of players known as the Pinay5, with many booters coming from the Tuloy sa Don Bosco Foundation.
The players, led by Malditas’ football booters Isabella Flannigan and Katrina Guilliou, started preparing for the tournament during a four-day camp from Dec. 26 to 30.
The Barcelona-based Merino holds a UEFA Level 3 pro license and has coached numerous clubs, including Pescados Ruben Burela FS and Barcelona’s Esportiu Rubi FS.
Philippine national women’s coach Mark Torcaso will assist Merino in his duties as his assistant coach.
The roster retained Shela Mae Cadag, Alisha del Campo, Cathrine Graversen and Samantha Hughes, and added Flannigan and Guilliou.
It also has Sheen Borres, Shelah Mae Cadag, Sara Castaneda, Judy Connolly, Rocelle Mendano, Vrendelle Nuera, Regine Rebosura, Kayla Santiago, and Dionesa Tolentin.
PFF president John Gutierrez said they are continuously implementing changes in the national squad in relation to the country’s hosting of the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup this November.
“Kasama iyan sa World Cup preparation natin. We can improve on what we need to improve,” said Gutierrez.