The Philippine Football Federation has unveiled its pool of players for the men’s national under‑23 team (PMNFT) that will represent the country in the 20th Asian Games in Aichi‑Nagoya, Japan.
Experienced Names Added to Young PMNFT Squad
Leading the U-23 PMNFT squad are national team veterans Sandro Reyes and Santiago “Santi” Rublico, who are expected to provide valuable experience as the young side takes on some of Asia’s established footballing nations.
Reyes and Rublico most recently represented the country during the ASEAN Championship and will be among the players expected to play major roles in the Philippines’ campaign.
The U-23 PMNFT roster also features three overage players, with Michael Baldisimo, Pocholo Bugas, and Adrian Ugelvik bringing additional experience to the lineup.
For the forwards, Andres Aldeguer, AJ Boronda, and Janjan Jalique will be tasked with providing the Philippines’ attacking threat.
The midfield group includes Gavi Muens, Javier Lucero, Jax Peña, Dov Cariño, Ryen Lim, Joaquin Collo, Cyrelle Saut, and Ethan Smith.
Meanwhile, Noah Leddel, Brian McManus Jr., Jaime Rosquillo, Gabriel Guimarães, Antoine Ortega, Jian Caraig, and Mateo Lacson comprise the PMNFT’s defensive unit.
The team’s goalkeeping options are Nicholas Guimarães, Patrick Vincent Fye, Fonsi Gonzalez, and Iñigo Castro.
Tough Group Stage Awaits the Philippines
Head coach Garrath McPherson will oversee the Philippine side in Nagoya after previously guiding the U‑23 team to a fourth‑place finish in the 2025 ASEAN U‑23 Championship.
The Philippines has been placed in Group C, where it will face Uzbekistan, Kuwait, and Vietnam in the group stage.
The squad will begin its campaign on September 15 against Uzbekistan at the CS Asset Minato Soccer Stadium, followed by Vietnam on September 18 and Kuwait on September 22.
Only the top two teams from the group will advance to the knockout stage, giving the Philippines little room for error in its bid to progress to the quarterfinals.
Historic Return After More Than Five Decades
The Asian Games appearance represents an important moment for Philippine men’s football, as the national team looks to end a 52‑year absence from the competition.
The Philippines last participated in the men’s football tournament in 1974, losing all three of its matches in Tehran.
Historically, the country’s best finish in Asian Games men’s football came with eighth‑place finishes in 1958 and 1962.
With Japan entering the tournament as the defending champion and several strong Asian nations competing, the Philippines faces a difficult challenge. Nevertheless, the return to the Asian Games gives the young squad an opportunity to create a new chapter for Philippine football on the continental stage.
