Filipinas win first-ever SEA Games gold, dethroning Vietnam
Filipinas for the win!
Shattering the decades-long reign of Vietnam and Thailand in SEA Games women's football, Filipinas, the Philippine women's national football team, won its first-ever SEA Games gold after a sudden-death penalty shootout, sealing the deal with a 6-5 victory.
The Chonburi Stadium in Chonburi, Thailand had Filipino supporters anticipating a win after Filipinas lost their tournament opener against Myanmar, 2-1, and then went on to dominate Malaysia in a 6-0 match, driving them to the semifinals. After a 120-minute hustle against Thailand, Filipinas won in a penalty shootout, ushering them to the finals against Vietnam, which was there to defend its four-time gold reign.
In the finale, for the second game in its campaign for SEA Games gold, Filipinas had to settle the score in a tense penalty shootout. With both teams matching kick for kick, it was down to a sudden death, where Filipinas scored 6-5, sealing their victory.
Laying out a historic win for the Philippines and Filipinas, goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel blocked what would have been a goal for Vietnam's Tran Thi Thu during the penalty shootout, and veteran midfielder Jaclyn Sawicki scored the team's sixth penalty kick, which ultimately won the gold.
Substitute goalkeeper Inna Palacios, who announced her retirement from football hours before the championship match, went on social media to say, "Ending 18 years with the National Team tonight. One thing I'll tell ya, this match is worth the wait. Dream big."
Filipinas' milestones
This wasn't the first time Filipinas thrust the country on the world football stage.
In 2022, they won the AFF Women's Championship for the first time, winning 3-0 against Thailand, which was gunning for its fifth title. The final was held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The year after that, Filipinas qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand. In their first FIFA tournament, Filipinas recorded a magnificent win over New Zealand. Spain ultimately won the crown.
In another history-making move, Filipinas carried the country's banner as the Philippines hosted the first-ever FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup from Nov. 21 to Dec. 7, 2025 at the PhilSports Arena. Brazil emerged as the overall winner.
Filipinas' next major tournament will be at the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup, set to kick off on March 1, 2026 in Australia.
The winning team
With a 23-member-strong team, the gold-caliber Filipinas who represented the Philippines at the 33rd SEA Games was made up of a cohesive blend of veteran players and fresh talents. Here they are, as shared by the Philippine Football Federation:
Goalkeepers
- Olivia McDaniel, 28
- Inna Palacios, 31
- Nina Meollo, 21
Defenders
- Hali Long, 30
- Sofia Harrison Wunsch, 26
- Jessika Cowart, 26
- Malea Cesar, 22
- Angela Beard, 28
- Janae DeFazio, 24
- Azumi Oka, 19
- Ariana Markey, 18
Midfielders
- Sara Eggesvik, 28
- Jaclyn Sawicki, 33
- Kaya Hawkinson, 25
- Isabella Pasion, 19
- Alexa Pino, 18
- Alessandrea Carpio, 23
Forwards
- Anicka Castañeda, 26
- Meryll Serrano, 28
- Nina Mathelus, 17
- Megan Murray, 20
- Jael-Marie Guy, 18
- Mallie Ramirez, 22
Other wins of Pinoys at the 33rd SEA Games
As of 12:15 p.m. on Dec. 18, the Philippines had 38 gold medals, 55 silver medals, and 120 bronze medals for a total of 213 podium finishes, according to One News. These include golds from:
- Justin Kobe Macario: freestyle poomsae - men’s taekwondo
- Alex Eala: tennis - women's singles
- Kira Ellis, Raven Alcoseba, and Kim Mangrobang: triathlon - women’s relay
- Inaki Lorbes, Fernando Casares, and Matthew Hermosa: triathlon - men’s relay
- Kira Ellis, Fernando Casares, Kim Remolino, and Raven Alcoseba: triathlon - mixed relay
- Sibol Men’s: e-sports - MLBB
- Islay Erika Bomogao: muay thai - women’s combat 45kg
- LJ Yasay: muay thai - men’s combat 51kg
- Melvin Sacay: modern pentathlon - men’s laser run individual
- Pilipinas Ultimate: flying disc - ultimate mixed division
- Dhenver Castillo: windsurfing - U19 IQ foil
- Filipinas: women's football
Adding to the medal count are 10 silvers and 14 bronzes, including Alex Eala and Francis Casey Alcantara in tennis - mixed doubles.
