MANILA (3 Dec 2013) – With the absence of stalwarts like skipper Marielle Benitez and Heather Cooke due to injuries, the Philippines women’s football has signed up foreign-based players to beef up their hopes of winning a medal at the SEA Games this month.
Among the players who will spearhead Philippines challenge are strikers Joana Houplin (Western Washington) and Jesse Shugg (Miami) while Catherine Barnekow (North Carolina), Sarah Cook (UC Bakersfield), and newcomer Alexa Diaz (Seattle Pacific) will anchor the backline.
The team has roped in first-choice goalkeeper Maria dela Cruz from Idaho State.
Others who have made the squad are Natasha Alquiros (La Salle), Marisa Park (Wake Forest), and Sam Nierras (La Salle) alongside defenders Morgan Brown (Santa Clara), Katherine Lim (Boston), and Patrice Impelido (Western Michigan); midfielders Monika Lee (Loyola), Rachel Nichols (Cornell), Raylene Larot (Sacramento State), Megan Jurado (San Diego State), Chalise Baysa (Oregon), Aisa Mondero (University of Santo Tomas); forward Christina Delos Reyes (University of the Philippines); and ‘keeper Patricia Dull (Temple City).
The Philippines are in Group A again champs Vietnam, hosts Myanmar and Indonesia. Group B are Thailand, Laos, Malaysia and Timor Leste.
They will play all their matches in Mandalay.
