Organizers of the High5 Futsal League have reaffirmed their commitment to discovering and developing fresh talent poised to represent the country in major international competitions.
During a press briefing at the Amici Italian Restaurant in Greenhills on Wednesday, High5 chief organizer Danny Moran emphasized their dedication to serving as a primary platform for aspiring futsal players seeking to hone their skills by competing against the country’s best.
“We remain committed to helping players improve their craft by giving them the opportunity to test their mettle against the top futsal talents in the Philippines,” Moran stated.
The success of the Pinay5 Futsal Club is a testament to this commitment, with many of its members emerging from the High5 program. This underscores the league’s role as a breeding ground for the nation’s top futsal players.
Moran, a former member of the national men’s football team, currently chairs the Henry V. Moran Foundation, which has been instrumental in advancing futsal development in the country over the past decade.
He led the establishment of the High5 Leagues and the creation of the Pinay5 Futsal Club — the first professional futsal club in the Philippines.
“The High5 Futsal Men’s and Women’s Leagues represent the highest level of futsal in the country today, featuring top clubs and universities,” Moran said. “Now in its fourth year, the High5 Leagues are also the longest-running futsal leagues in Southeast Asia.”
Joining Moran at the press briefing was Dutch coach Vic Hermans, Director for Sports of the Henry V. Moran Foundation, alongside key players Demely Rollon, Agot Danton, Isabella Bandoja, Jada Bicierro, Lanie Ortillo, Mykaella Abeto, and Kaycee Nañola.
In the women’s division, Tuloy FC, a club composed of underprivileged players, dominated the first three editions. Meanwhile, Gawad Kalinga FC claimed the men’s title in the previous season.
Currently, the Pinay5 has taken an early lead in the women’s division, which began on February 22. Three of its players have already secured spots in the pre-selected national squad set to compete in the 2025 FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup, scheduled to take place in the Philippines this November.
“Everybody in this tournament wants to win,” said the 71-year-old Hermans, a well-respected figure in international futsal. “The powerhouse Pinay5 is determined to go all the way and capture the title.
“This team was formed after December, and we know all their players possess international-caliber skills.”
With the success of the High5 Leagues in nurturing the country’s futsal talent, Moran revealed plans to expand the program to major cities such as Cebu City, Pangasinan, Cagayan de Oro City, and Davao City, culminating in a general championship in Metro Manila.
“Developing the best players in the country has to start from the ground up,” Moran explained. “We want to identify talented players from across the nation, particularly at the grassroots level.”
He emphasized that many of the country’s top futsal players come from underprivileged backgrounds and rural provinces.
“We aim to provide these players with a foundation where they can develop, thrive, and seize life-changing opportunities through futsal,” Moran concluded.
