Philippine Women’s National Team head coach Letecia “Buda” Bautista is one of three shortlisted candidates for the AFC Women’s Coach of the Year Award, ahead of the AFC Annual Awards which will be held on 29 November 2017 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Bautista led the Women’s team during the Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan last April 2017. Under her helm, the Women’s team collected three wins, one draw, and one loss en route to finishing with ten (10) points, and more importantly, qualify to the final round which will be held in Jordan next year.
Bautista mentored the Women’s team in wins over the United Arab Emirates (4-0), Iraq (4-0), and Tajikistan (8-0), 1-1 draw against Bahrain, and a 5-1 loss to Jordan.
Her shining moment as head coach came against Bahrain. A goal down late in the match, the Philippines pulled off a equalizer from Sara Castañeda to send the Philippines through to the Women’s Asian Cup next year.
PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes hailed Bautista’s nomination and highlighted her valuable contribution by steering the Women’s National Team to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
“Coach Buda (Bautista) has been very instrumental for our Women’s National Team,” said Gastanes. “Her leadership, wisdom and competitive character as a former national team player has proved beneficial when she led the Philippine team to a spot in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which in turn will be the qualifiers for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019.”
Photo from Mia Montayre
