Philippine Men’s National Football Team (PMNFT) mainstay Jarvee Gayoso was naturally disappointed in the Philippines’ brutal 4-1 loss to Myanmar to open their ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 campaign. That’s because, for the 29-year-old forward, the team didn’t exactly play to their true potential. Even so, he is still optimistic that the team has what it takes to bounce back.
“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,” Gayoso told reporters after the match. “We have a lot of young guys who will go through a lot of experiences like this. And we’ve 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.”
The PMNFT certainly took it on the chin in that loss as Myanmar completely outclassed the home squad. In fact, about the only silver lining in that dismal showing was Gayoso again finding the net—and it is something the former two-time UAAP champion believes is indicative of him “still wanting to fight for the country and to do whatever I can to help.”
Gayoso, Philippines Set Sights on Laos
Now, for Gayoso, it’s about putting those learnings and experience to good use in future matches, beginning with Laos on the latter’s home pitch.
“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,” Gayoso emphasized. “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 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’ve done and being able to adjust in the next game.”
That next game, as mentioned, is against Laos, who sit at the very bottom of Group B with two losses already. The Philippines, with their opening-day loss to Myanmar, are fourth, while the latter are third. At the top are first-place Malaysia (2-0) and second-place Thailand (1-0).
The Philippines and Laos will play at the Lao National Stadium on Saturday at 6 p.m.
