By: Icko De Guzman
Philippine Women’s Futsal National Team co-captain Inday Tolentin never imagined she would carry the flag on the world stage, let alone alongside players she once faced in the UAAP Women’s Football Tournament.
Tolentin led the Philippines in their first-ever FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup match.
Although the Filipina5 fell to Poland last Friday, the moment marked a significant milestone for the former FEU Lady Tamaraw and current Kaya FC–Iloilo standout.
“Dream come true po kasi hindi ko inexpect ito. Nag-training lang ako, naglaro ako, pinapakita ko lang kung ano ang makakaya ko,” Tolentin said.
“May mga coaches na nagtiwala sa akin at natupad ko ’yung pangarap ko, hindi sa easy way, kundi pinaghirapan ko.”
The journey became even more meaningful as Tolentin reunited with familiar faces from the UAAP, including former rivals Alisha Del Campo and Rocelle Mendaño of De La Salle, and former FEU teammate Regine Rebosura, who recently helped the Lady Tamaraws secure their fourth straight UAAP crown.
“Sobrang saya ko po kasi hindi namin inexpect na magsama-sama kami dito sa World Cup,” she added.
“May kanya-kanya na po kaming buhay, pero itong World Cup ang nagbuo ulit sa amin, kaya kami nagsama-sama muli dito.”
Despite missing opportunities to put the Philippines on the scoreboard in their debut, Tolentin vowed to keep pushing as the Filipina5 prepare to return to action tomorrow night against Morocco.
“Siguro hindi ko pa po time na maka-score, pero next game pag-iigihan ko pa,” she said.
“Goal ko talaga makatulong sa team, kahit hindi ako ang maka-goal. Basta may maka-goal sa amin, panalo na rin po iyon para sa akin.”
#WATCH: Filipina5’s Bella Flanigan and Inday Tolentin hope that they can learn from their first game against Poland as they continue their fight in the #FutsalWWC 🇵🇭 ⚽#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/Mb0YJ2n38G
📹 @ickodeg /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/0jm4Pi4Kn8
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) November 22, 2025
