MANILA – Over a week before the Filipinas return to the pitch, head coach Mark Torcaso is optimistic of the team's chances to make history anew.
The Philippine Women's National Football Team has been holding training camp in preparation for the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup next month, which serves as a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Ahead of the Filipinas Homecoming event on Friday, Torcaso said the team is upbeat, still riding on the high from the historic gold at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
READ: PWNFT celebrated at 'The Filipinas Homecoming' for SEA Games gold
Torcaso said he likes what he's been seeing from the players present at their training camps in Manila and Balesin Island.
"It's been a big turnaround, now focusing on the Asian Cup preparations. We're working really hard in training, all the girls have been coming slowly. It's been a good month for training," he told reporters.
"Everyone is coming really good. We had a chance to push them really hard, so we had a long camp since February 1st. They've all been on program since the SEA Games so it's been really good to see them all come in really good shape and fitness levels," Torcaso added.
Jackie Sawicki and the Filipinas look to continue the momentum from when they won the historic SEA Games gold last December 2025.
"It's kinda crazy we're in this four year cycle again and we've got another opportunity to compete for a World Cup. So it's super exciting, we've got a lot of young energy into the squad. We're gonna use the gold medal as momentum," Sawicki told reporters.
FILIPINAS FINAL 26
Fans and visitors celebrate the homecoming of the Philippine Women’s National Football Team at the SM MOA Sky Amphitheater in Pasay City, February 20, 2026. The event honors their historic gold medal win at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games and featured a mini meet-and-greet session with supporters. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
Most of the Filipinas in the SEA Games gold medal squad will be returning for the AFC Women's Asian Cup, led by goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel, and young strikers Alexa Pino and Mallie Ramirez.
READ: Filipinas dethrone Vietnam for first-ever SEA Games gold
Nina Meollo and Leah Bradley are also listed as goalkeepers for the squad.
For defense, team captain Hali Long will be joined by Angela Beard, Malea Cesar, Jessica Cowart, Janae DeFazio, Kaya Hawkinson, Sophia Wunsch, and Ariana Markey.
The midfield will see the likes of Sawicki, Jourdyn Curran, Sara Eggesvik, Jael-Marie Guy, Natalie Oca, Bella Pasion, and Ava Villapando.
Aside from Pino and Ramirez, forwards Alex Carpio, Anicka Castañeda, Chandler McDaniel, and Paige McSwigan will look to create goals for the Filipinas up front.
Familiar faces in Katrina Guillou and Carleigh Frilles will be making their return for the Filipinas, after missing the SEA Games last December.
"All the girls have been excellent so it's created a really big headache for us to pick the best 26 for this [Women's] Asian Cup," Torcaso said.
The Filipinas head coach admitted it will be a tough and different battle ahead, given that the Filipinas are grouped with hosts Australia, South Korea and Iran in the AFC Women's Asian Cup.
"Our goal is to get out of the group. And then our goal is to achieve another World Cup position. We know it's going to be challenging, we do have a lot of young players on our team... We'll definitely see them feature in this Asian Cup," Torcaso said.
"I believe we got a talented group mixed with experience, mixed with young players like the SEA Games. And I truly believe we've got an opportunity at another World Cup," he added.
The Filipinas will kick off their campaign in the opening match against familiar foes, hosts Australia on March 1 at the Perth Stadium.