For the first time since its semifinal run in the 2024 ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup, the Philippine Men’s National Team is reuniting to resume its 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification campaign against Maldives this Tuesday at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Tarlac.
Sandro Reyes, one of the key figures in that campaign — which included the country’s historic win over Thailand — expressed his excitement about the upcoming match during the launch of GoTyme’s initiative to support Philippine football last Tuesday at the Westin Manila.
“I’m super happy to be back for the team,” said Reyes. “We obviously did really well in the last tournament, and we just want to keep the momentum going, get a strong start, and secure three points against Maldives.
“Playing for the Philippines is special. Wherever we play, it doesn’t matter if it’s in front of 10,000 or 3,000 fans — it’s always special. The game is only worth three points whether you’re playing in front of 10,000, 3,000, or a thousand fans. So we’re just taking this game seriously.”
During the event, GoTyme announced that it will sponsor an international tournament featuring Vietnam, Singapore, and South Africa’s national teams later this year as part of its three-year partnership.
National team coach Albert Capellas welcomed the opportunity to compete in a high-level setting against other national squads. His goal is to build on the team’s strong AMEC performance by qualifying for the Asian Cup and beyond.
Achieving that will require more matches against top international opposition.
“I think it’s a very nice step forward from the (Philippine Football) Federation to have this cup against very good teams in Asia,” said the Spanish mentor. “I’m really looking forward to playing the tournament in September. We will use this as preparation for our qualifying games.
“We will take this tournament very seriously. We will bring our best players because we value every game. It doesn’t matter if it’s an official match, a friendly, or an official tournament like the GoTyme Cup — we’ll use it to develop our playing style and strengthen our commitment to the national team and the rest of the Philippines.”
In addition to the tournament, GoTyme’s initiatives to support Philippine football will include backing the senior national teams, grassroots programs, special events and merchandise, and other promotional efforts.
It’s not every day that a major company steps in to boost sports in the country. With a growing brand like GoTyme offering support, Philippine football gains a significant boost to sustain its upward trajectory.
“I think for the players, it’s important for us to feel the support that we’re about to get, and seeing how they spoke, it’s really exciting to have a big sponsor onboard for us,” said Reyes.
#WATCH: Sandro Reyes is thrilled to rejoin the PMNFT as they gear up for the Asian Cup Qualifiers, aiming to sustain the team’s winning momentum 🇵🇭⚽
📹 @ickodeg /Tiebreaker Times#LabanPilipinas pic.twitter.com/bAMzhfVdni
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 18, 2025
