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ALL SET. The PFF Women’s Football League presents some of its players during a media conference.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Defending champion Kaya FC-Iloilo and powerhouse Stallion Laguna welcome the entry of young squads in the country’s premier women’s football league
MANILA, Philippines – After a yearlong hiatus, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Women’s Football League returns on March 22 with six teams vying for the title this season.
Although the 2025 edition will have four fewer teams, PFF president John Gutierrez is “very happy,” noting that what matters is the development of young players.
UP, UST, Makati FC, and the newly formed Capital1 FC join defending champion Kaya FC-Iloilo and powerhouse Stallion Laguna — both bannered by veteran national team members — to complete the six-team cast.
“Besides the level of competition that we want to put in the women’s league… it’s also a way for us to make them better, make them ready for national team duties,” said Gutierrez.
“What’s important is we have more games for all ages, especially those who want to make it to the national team, for us to be successful as a football community and football nation.”
UP and UST, who finished seventh and eighth, respectively, in the 2023 edition, are the only two UAAP teams returning as DLSU and FEU decided to skip this year’s tournament.
Jansen Miranda, UP’s team captain, said she expects her team to improve along the way as they play against an older age group.
“I think it helps us build our team for the upcoming UAAP season,” said Miranda.
Makati FC, a youth team that recently won the Ang Liga Filipina 2025, and Capital1 FC, which will be led by former Kaya FC head coach Let Dimzon, are the two newcomers.
National team stalwarts Hali Long and Inna Palacios remain as the leaders of Kaya FC, while the McDaniel sisters, Olivia and Chandler, spearhead the title charge of Stallion FC.
Long, the 30-year-old Filipinas defender, said she’s excited to see young teams join the country’s premier women’s football league.
“It’s nice to see like the up-and-coming youth and how they slowly transition after their college career,” she said.
“So I’m actually really excited to have a few college students play, and hopefully in the coming leagues we have more and more.” – Rappler.com
