PAGCOR Chair Alejandro H. Tengco welcomed PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez and the Filipinas in a courtesy meeting last Wednesday to announce a major support pledge for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, committing to power the team’s campaign in Australia this March.
PAGCOR will cover the team’s travel logistics, training camps, and preparatory friendlies. As the Filipinas prepare to face elite competition in Perth and the Gold Coast, this funding ensures the reigning SEA Games gold medalists can focus entirely on securing a spot in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
PFF President Gutierrez thanked PAGCOR for the timely intervention, calling it a vital boost for the sport’s local growth. “Competing at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup requires significant resources for high-level training and international exposure,” he said. “Continued support from our partners ensures that our athletes are fully equipped to compete with Asia’s best.”
Chair Tengco reiterated stronger state support for sports development following a Supreme Court ruling directing the agency to remit PAGCOR’s five percent share of its gross revenues to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). “With our increased remittances to the PSC, more resources are being made available for national sports programs,” Tengco said. “Beyond compliance, we believe in actively backing Filipino athletes who bring pride and recognition to the country.”
Both organizations expressed a commitment to a fruitful partnership, aiming to transform this collaboration into a long-term strategy for further developing Philippine football across the archipelago.
