With tears streaming and emotions overwhelming her, Isabella Bandoja was understandably reflective after the Philippine Women’s National Futsal Team’s 5–1 loss to Argentina, which ended the host nation’s campaign in the 2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup.
Bandoja — a proud product of the Tuloy Foundation’s esteemed football and futsal program — scored the Filipina5’s lone goal against the Argentinians, sparking celebrations from the majority of the 2,811 fans at the Philsports Arena in Pasig last Thursday.
From her humble beginnings, learning the game alongside her peers, to achieving the biggest moment of her career, the 24-year-old never imagined she would experience something as memorable as scoring that goal.
“Actually, hindi,” she said. “Wala po. Expected ko kahit assist man lang ako. Yung goal, never ko po inexpect o ginusto. Wala po talaga. Wala akong expectation na makaka-score ako ngayon.”
Reflecting on the overwhelming crowd reaction, she added that it was an entirely new experience, noting that the thousands in attendance celebrated as if her consolation goal had been a winning strike.
“Sobrang chill, goosebumps. Sobrang nakaka-angat ng energy pa lalo. Yung vibes na yun parang gusto kong umiskor ulit para sa kanila. Sobrang nakaka-hype po sila talaga.”
Bandoja’s moment in the spotlight was all the more remarkable considering she nearly missed the team due to the internal upheaval and reorganization that took place last year.
The shake-up led to the departure of key figures, including team manager Danny Moran and Dutch coach Vic Hermans, as the Philippine Football Federation restructured the national team program.
Initially, Bandoja — who captained the team during the “Pinay5” era at the 2024 ASEAN Women’s Futsal Championship in November 2024 — resigned alongside players such as Demelyn Rollon, Lanie Ortillo, and Mykaella Abeto.
Despite the initial decision, she and Ortillo eventually returned and were named to the final squad for the country’s World Cup campaign. While internal friction among sports administrators is never easy to witness, Bandoja’s focus remained singular: to play her game.
She delivered on that commitment with a memorable performance, showing gratitude to Moran, Hermans, and others who shaped her development as a member of the Pinay5.
“Of course, first of all, nagpapasalamat po ako sa kanila for guiding me, for teaching me,” said Bandoja. “Sobrang thankful lang ako sa kanila. Yung transition, sobrang hirap kasi nagbago ng coach, nagbago ng teammates, pero sobrang thankful lang ako kasi miski papano tinulungan nila ako makapag-adjust sa bagong team.”
Ultimately, Bandoja’s resilience in overcoming the previous disruptions and performing on the biggest stage — particularly against Argentina — was a testament to her dedication to her teammates and staff, past and present.
She made sure to express her deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to this historic moment:
“First of all, sa mga coaches, sa staff, especially yung mga past coaches, and then especially ngayon kay Coach Rafa (Merino) at yung staff namin ngayon — sobrang thankful ako ngayon sa kanila — at sa teammates ko siyempre for guiding me na makarating dito.”
#WATCH: After scoring against Argentina, Isabella Bandoja pays homage to the people who helped her rise to the #FutsalWWC stage#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/RctV0WkD4g
📹 @lorenzodelc /Tiebreaker Times#LabanFilipina5 pic.twitter.com/BkR1lT1MyV
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) November 29, 2025
