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Tag: Jarvey Gayoso

  • Jarvey Gayoso calls on young Azkals to bounce back after tough ASEAN Cup start

    Jarvey Gayoso calls on young Azkals to bounce back after tough ASEAN Cup start

    The Philippine men’s national football team endured a difficult start to its ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 campaign after suffering a disappointing 4-1 defeat to Myanmar at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac, on Tuesday, July 28.

     

    Playing in front of the home crowd, the young Azkals squad struggled to find its rhythm against a determined Myanmar side, with Jarvey Gayoso providing the lone bright spot for the Philippines after scoring their only goal of the match.

     

    Despite the heavy defeat, Gayoso believes the setback can serve as a valuable learning experience for a young national team that is still building chemistry and gaining international exposure. The versatile winger admitted that the result was difficult to accept but stressed the importance of responding positively and using the loss as motivation moving forward.

     

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    “It’s hard to accept, I think for the entire team, that we didn’t play to the standards that we wanted and we expected from ourselves and each other. But it’s a test of character. We have a lot of young guys who will go through a lot of experiences like this. And we have proven it before with the last campaign. I think this will be a good lesson for everybody. We just got to take it on the chin and pick ourselves up,” Gayoso said in a media interaction.

     

    Rather than dwelling on the disappointing result, the 29-year-old forward called on his teammates to remain focused and use the experience as an opportunity for improvement. Gayoso emphasized that the team still has confidence in its ability and believes the young players have the talent to bounce back.

    “It’s difficult because there are different personalities and different mindsets. But it all comes from wanting to win and wanting to do our best. And that’s where I draw from this situation, how I react. And just telling them, let this be an opportunity to reflect and to be able to bounce back,” Gayoso said.

     

    “Because the talent is there. Everybody knows how to play really good football. And we believe in this team. So from here, it’s just taking these lessons and taking these errors we have done and being able to adjust in the next game,” he added.

     

    The Philippines entered the ASEAN Hyundai Cup with a relatively inexperienced squad, with several young players being given the opportunity to represent the national team on the regional stage. Only a handful of players from the side that defeated Myanmar, 5-1, in a friendly match last month were retained for the tournament.

     

    The squad has also been affected by the absence of several key players, including Gerrit Holtmann, Raphael Obermair, and Bjorn Kristensen, among others, as the ASEAN Cup does not fall under the FIFA international window. Their unavailability forced the national team to rely on a younger pool of players as it begins its campaign.

     

    With limited time to recover and prepare, Gayoso acknowledged the importance of quickly moving forward as the Philippines looks to keep its tournament hopes alive.

     

    “We have three more games. There’s not a lot of time to do it. These games are back to back and we are gonna be flying soon. So focus has to be on recovery and adjusting and being able to pick ourselves up. To stay positive and to stay united,” Gayoso concluded.

     

    The defeat left the Philippines in fourth place in Group B, putting added pressure on the team to secure points in its remaining matches. The Azkals will look to bounce back and claim their first victory of the competition when they face Laos at the Laos National Stadium on Saturday, August 1.

     

    With a young squad still gaining valuable experience, the Philippines hopes its difficult opening match will serve as a turning point as it continues its ASEAN Hyundai Cup campaign.

     

     

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  • Pride Beyond Borders: Filipino athletes making their mark while representing other countries

    Pride Beyond Borders: Filipino athletes making their mark while representing other countries

    For many athletes, representing the Philippines is the ultimate dream. But in an increasingly globalized sports world, some Filipino talents find themselves building careers and opportunities beyond the country’s borders. While they may wear different jerseys or compete under foreign leagues—or even national flags—their roots remain unmistakably Filipino.


    Rather than seeing these moves as losses for Philippine sports, it may be more fitting to view them as proof that Filipino talent can thrive anywhere. Their achievements abroad not only elevate their own careers but also highlight the caliber of athletes the Philippines continues to produce.

     

    Here are five Filipino athletes who chose the international scene and, in their own ways, continue to bring pride to the country.

     

    Jaja Santiago

     

    Before becoming known as Sachi Minowa in Japan, Jaja Santiago had already established herself as one of the Philippines’ most dominant volleyball players. Her journey overseas began in 2019, and after years of dedication to the sport and her life in Japan, she officially obtained Japanese citizenship on August 17, 2024.

     

    Now playing in the top-tier SV.League with the Denso Airybees, the 6-foot-5 middle blocker is entering her seventh season in Japan. She previously spent two successful years with JT Marvelous Osaka, where she helped the team win the league title, and also played four seasons with Saitama Ageo Medics.

     

    Santiago’s decision to naturalize and represent Japan may have disappointed some Filipino fans who hoped to see her dominate for the national team. However, her success abroad also reflects how Filipino athletes can reach world-class levels when given the right environment and opportunities. Her journey proves that Filipino volleyball players have the talent to compete in one of the strongest leagues in the world.

     

    Marck Espejo

     

    Few Filipino volleyball players have explored the international circuit as extensively as Marck Espejo. The former Ateneo standout joined TSG Skyhawks in the Taiwan Professional Volleyball League, adding another chapter to a career that has taken him across Asia and the Middle East.

     

    The 28-year-old outside hitter has now played for seven overseas teams across five countries. His career includes stints with Oita Miyoshi Weiss Adler, FC Tokyo, and Kubota Spears Osaka in Japan, as well as clubs in Thailand, Bahrain, and South Korea.

     

    Espejo’s journey abroad is a testament to the global competitiveness of Filipino volleyball talent. While he built his foundation in Philippine collegiate volleyball, his willingness to test himself in different leagues has expanded his experience and raised the profile of Filipino athletes internationally. In many ways, Espejo serves as proof that Filipino players can adapt and succeed in various volleyball systems around the world.

     

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    Bryan Bagunas

     

    Another prominent name in Philippine men’s volleyball is Bryan Bagunas, whose powerful scoring ability has made him a standout both locally and internationally. After an impressive run in Taiwan with Win Streak, where he won two championships and an MVP award during a three-year stint, Bagunas took his talents to Japan to play for Osaka Blueton.

     

    Bagunas represents the type of athlete who benefits from competing abroad while still maintaining a strong connection to the Philippine national team. Despite playing overseas, he returned to represent the country in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025, contributing crucial points for the Philippines.

     

    Bagunas shows that playing internationally does not necessarily mean turning away from national pride. Instead, the experience gained from tougher leagues can strengthen the athletes who eventually return to represent the country in major competitions.

     

    Yuka Saso

     

    Golf prodigy Yuka Saso is another athlete whose career reflects the complex intersection of identity and opportunity in modern sports. Born in the Philippines, Saso eventually chose to represent Japan internationally, a decision that drew significant attention in the golfing world.

     

    Despite the change in national representation, Saso has remained closely connected to the Philippines and continues to support Filipino golfers and the local golfing community. Her rapid rise in the women’s game has made her one of the most respected young golfers globally.

     

    Rather than focusing on the nationality she represents, it may be more meaningful to recognize how her Filipino roots played a role in shaping her journey. Saso’s success reminds many Filipinos that athletes from the country can reach the highest levels of international competition.

     

    Jarvey Gayoso

     

    In football, Jarvey Gayoso continues to build his career in Southeast Asia. The Filipino striker was recently signed by Bangkok FC for the upcoming 2025/26 Thai League season, bringing his scoring ability and versatility to the Thailand-based club.

     

    Gayoso previously played for Phnom Penh Crown FC in Cambodia, where he recorded an impressive 14 goals and four assists in 24 appearances. Before his international career, he built a strong foundation with teams such as Ateneo Blue Eagles, Aguila MSA FC, Azkals Development Team, and Kaya FC.

     

    More importantly, Gayoso remains deeply tied to Philippine football, having represented the country from the youth level (U-19 and U-23) all the way to the senior national team. His growing career in Southeast Asian leagues demonstrates how Filipino footballers are gradually expanding their presence across the region.

     

    Sports have long been tied to national pride, but the reality of modern athletics often involves athletes pursuing opportunities across borders. For Filipino athletes, this global path can sometimes spark debates about loyalty and identity.

     

    Yet looking at the careers of Santiago, Espejo, Bagunas, Saso, and Gayoso, a different perspective emerges. Their success abroad highlights the strength of Filipino talent and proves that athletes from the Philippines can compete—and excel—on the international stage.

     

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