CAPAS, Tarlac – Jarvey Gayoso is looking ahead after the Philippine Men's National Football Team's disappointing start to its ASEAN Championship campaign.
The Filipino booters bowed to Myanmar, 4-1, on Tuesday at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.
READ: PH men absorb tough loss to Myanmar to open ASEAN Championship campaign
Gayoso and the rest of the squad were visibly down as they exited the venue, after being handed their worst defeat in recent years.
"It's hard to accept, I think for the entire team, that we didn't play to the standards that we wanted and we expected from ourselves and each other. But it's a test of character," the two-time UAAP champion told reporters after the match.
"We have a lot of young guys who will go through a lot of experiences like this. And we've proven it before with the last campaign. I think this will be a good lesson for everybody. We just got to take in the chin and pick ourselves up," he added.
In the post-match press conference, Philippines coach Carles Cuadrat said the pitch conditions following the heavy downpour before kickoff had some effect on their play.
"Yes it was more difficult to play comfortably and we had to adjust. They [Myanmar] just adjusted a lot better, I guess," Gayoso said.
One of the silver linings for the 29-year-old forward was being able to put the Philippines on the board.
"It always means a lot to score for the country. It is something I personally believe I can help with the team. With all these young players, it's always good to be able to guide them and be able to show that an older version of me is still wanting to fight for the country and to do whatever I can to help," he said.
Instead of dwelling on the negatives, Gayoso is choosing to rally his younger teammates to move forward and focus on preparing for their next match on Saturday.
"It's difficult because there are different personalities and different mindsets. But it all comes from wanting to win and wanting to do our best. And that's where I draw from this situation, how I react. And just telling them, let this be an opportunity to reflect and to be able to bounce back," Gayoso shared.
"Because the talent is there. Everybody knows how to play really good football. And we believe in this team. So from here, it's just taking these lessons and taking these errors we've done and being able to adjust in the next game," he added.
The Philippines' Jarvey Gayoso in action against Myanmar in the 2026 ASEAN Championship, July 28, 2026 at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac. Handout/PFF-PMNFT
The Philippines is fielding a new-look younger squad, only having a few holdovers from the team that routed Myanmar, 5-1, in a friendly last month.
The current squad is missing several key players like Gerrit Holtmann, Raphael Obermair, and Bjorn Kristensen due to the ASEAN Championship not part of the FIFA international window.
As one of the more experienced players on the team, Gayoso believes their upcoming matches will show the character of this youth-laden squad.
"We have three more games. There's not a lot of time to do it. These games are back to back and we're gonna be flying soon. So focus has to be on recovery and adjusting and being able to pick ourselves up. To stay positive and to stay united," he said.
Following Tuesday's results, Myanmar is ranked third in Group B with a 1-1 record, while the Philippines is fourth with a 0-1 slate.
The Philippines aim to bounce back when they take on Laos at the Lao National Stadium on Saturday at 6 p.m.