For Alesandrea Carpio, the moment didn’t hit right away. It was only after the final whistle that the magnitude of what the Filipinas had achieved began to sink in a step closer to the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“Hindi po siya nag-sink in agad… pero nung final whistle, parang wow may chance po tayo mag-World Cup,” Carpio said in an interview with Abante Sports.
Set to potentially make her World Cup debut, Carpio admitted the opportunity carries a deeper meaning, especially after missing out on the squad that made history in 2023.
“I wasn’t part of that team before. Hearing the veterans talk about it… it’s very moving,” she said. “To have that same opportunity now it’s very surreal.”
But beyond the emotion, Carpio said the team has gained something more important along the way.
“Kahit small country tayo, kaya pa rin natin,” she said. “We can do what big countries can do.”
That mindset, she stressed, comes from the Filipinas’ identity built on heart, grit, and collective effort.
And for a team that continues to grow on the international stage, that belief could be just as important as talent. (Jesus Nathaniel Valdez)
