STALLION Laguna FC’s women’s team got a huge shot in the arm after having gained the support of former Philippine national team manager Jeff Cheng for the upcoming Philippine Football Federation Women’s League.
Cheng’s Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions (PAGSS) has agreed to sponsor Stallion, which is committed to put together a competitive roster this year.
Stallion signs Filipinas players
National team members Olivia and Chandler McDaniel are already with the team, but added more players in the roster following the entry of Cheng with the fellow Filipinas players Sofia Harrison, Bella Pacion, and Jessica Miclat also signing with the club.
Cheng admitted it was Chandler who reached out to him about the possibility of sponsoring the team, and the entrepreneur didn’t hesitate.
“When Chandler gave me a call one day, it’s a no-brainer that I said yes to the sponsorship of Stallion,” said Cheng in a press conference on Tuesday at the Gilligan’s Market Market.
Cheng is acknowledged as the architect of the Philippine women's football team that qualified in the FIFA Women's World Cup last year, winning a match over host New Zealand, 1-0, on a Sarina Bolden goal.
Cheng, who recently stepped down as team patron, said his relationship with the Filipinas players got him to agree to sponsor Stallion Laguna FC.
“For me, it was a very easy decision. I stepped down from being the team manager of the Philippine women’s team and I said to the players that what we’ve built over the years, it’s not just a team, it’s a family. When the opportunity came that Chandler gave me a call, it was a no-brainer to be able to help,” said Cheng.
Chandler said reaching out to Cheng is a boost to the club’s quest to challenge for the league crown.
“Olivia and I kinda discussed that we are deciding on what club to go. We want to come play in the Philippines. But we know that to get some good girls, we need some help with the funding,” said Chandler.
“Both of us decided to ask Sir Jeff to see where he was at and he was so very helpful, and decided to support us and we thank him for that. We always love the support that Sir Jeff gives,” said Chandler.
Stallion head coach Ernie Nierras said the club’s plans is not limited on local shores.
“There are other plans moving forward to the future. We don’t want this to be just local participation for Stallion women’s. We are really looking into competitions overseas. That’s the main focus,” said Nierras.
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