It’s not just in basketball and volleyball that see Filipinos being tapped as imports in Japan.
In the pioneering WE.League of Japan, two of the league’s 11 clubs have signed Filipinos as their Asian Quota Players. These are Quinley Quezada (JEF United Chiba) and Sarina Bolden (Elfen Saitama).
Quezada already has two caps for her team, while Bolden is waiting for her moment.
Photo from JEF United Chiba
And for Philippine Women’s National Football Team head coach Marlon Maro, he is expecting more to sign on come next year’s season.
“They have a ruling that each team or club team in the WE League, they have to hire an Asian woman player. And they’re looking for Filipinas to play in Japan,” said Maron during last Tuesday’s edition of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum presented by San Miguel Corporation (SMC), MILO, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, Daily Tribune, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
“So I think, next season, we’re expecting more Filipinas playing in Japan.”
Japan Football Association is also rewarding their clubs that sign players from the Southeast Asian region through financial aid.
Maro also bared that teams are already inquiring to him about the availability of some of his players.
Photo from AFC
“There are already discussions on that. May mga coaches na nagli-link sa akin, they’re looking for players,” he said.
“They are looking at midfielders who can play dual roles in the team. So puwede siyang i-recommend, but I think Rocelle (Mendano) is looking also to finish her college studies first before playing overseas.”
But it’s not just in Japan where Filipino footballers are flourishing.
Jessica Miclat inked a new contract with Cypriot’s Aris Limassol; Cathrine Graversen has signed with Nea Salamis of Cypriot; while Eva Madarang is with Spain’s Club Deportivo Pozoalbense.
