The Philippine women's national futsal team is wearing its heart like a badge of honor when it sets foot in the inaugural staging of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup on November 21 at the PhilSports Arena.
The Philippines was drawn with Poland, Morocco, and Argentina in Group A.
"I think it's 'puso' that sums up this journey," said forward Shai del Ocampo during the joint launch of the Philippine women's national futsal team and the Philippine men's national football team's uniforms held by PUMA in Pasig City.
"Every Filipino will live up to that word. Every athlete goes into a campaign with hard work, that's what keeps us pushing through, and how much effort we've put into it. At the end of the day, it's how we want to represent the country, so we're giving it our all. It's our hearts. We're gonna fight until the end," she added.
It has been a meaningful past year for the Filipinas5 since they first debuted in the 2024 ASEAN Women's Futsal Championship slated at the same venue to begin their preparation, followed by a stint in the Asian Cup.
Just five days removed from its intensive two-week camp in Barcelona and Madrid, where it took on local clubs before facing the Spain national squad, the world No. 63 Philippines is now sharpened by an eventful journey to the World Cup when it opens its campaign against 14th-ranked Poland.
The Rafa Merino-coached Philippines will take on world No. 6 Argentina on November 24 before wrapping up the group stage three days later against Morocco, which recently climbed 16 places to No. 31, as it aims to finish in the top two and advance to the quarterfinals.
For winger Jaclyn Sawicki, who first represented the country in the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2023, the weight of the task never gets easier.
However, the support of the home crowd is expected to ease the difficulty of the uphill battle against the visiting futsal powerhouses.
"Representing the country in any situation holds a lot of gravity. All these players carry that with a lot of honor. So to do that on the world's biggest stage yet again and then in our home country to have the crowd physically present with us this time around, it's truly special. So I think we're just looking forward to that moment," said Sawicki.
Similarly, attacking midfielder Katrina Guillou is taking a much-needed boost from her Mark Torcaso-mentored Philippine women's national football team in this undertaking.
"I think it's not just me. But I speak for everyone here that with each game we're expecting to win. We're gonna give it our best foot forward and hopefully come out with a win," said Guillou.
"The football team has been great. They really supported us throughout this journey for the entire year. So it's just nice having someone in your corner backing you the entire way. We really appreciate them and everyone on the team for everything they've done and shown us. Hopefully, we can make everyone proud," she added.
The official squad is brimming with promising talents who also include Bella Flanigan, Inday Tolentin, Isabella Bandoja, Catherine Graversen, Judy Connolly and Charisa Lemoran, Samantha Hughes, Regine Rebosura, Rocelle Mendano, Lanie Ortillo, and Kayla Santiago.