Wikipedia

Philippines national American football team

The Philippines national American football team or the Philippines national tackle football team, represents the Philippines in international American football competitions. The team is under the American Tackle Football Federation of the Philippines (ATFFP), which was founded by Bernaro “Dodi” Palma II in 2009.[1]

Philippines Philippines
Helmet
Left arm Body Right arm
Trousers
Socks
Uniform
AssociationATFFP
FederationAFAF
NicknameAll-Star Aguilas
IFAF Affiliation2014
ColorsBlue, Red, Yellow
Head coachEdlen Hernandez
General managerBernardo Palma II
First international
 Japan 86–0 Philippines Philippines
(Tokyo, Japan; April 26, 2014)
Biggest win
Philippines Philippines 19–8 Korea Univ. South Korea
(Makati, Philippines; February 27, 2016)
Biggest defeat
 Japan 86–0 Philippines Philippines
(Tokyo, Japan; April 26, 2014)

History

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Early history

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American Football has been in the Philippines since as early as 2001, with the flag football variant being introduced first. A flag football league was established, with its teams defeating other teams from China and Singapore. Around 2010, tackle football was introduced with a league on the standard variant of football being established by then. An international club team called the Philippine Punishers was formed which defeated teams from China, Hong Kong, and Saipan.[2]

Debut as the Philippine Aguilas

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The Philippines hosted its first international friendly at home at the Emperador Stadium.

In 2014, the first official national tackle football team, which was called Philippine Aguilas, was organized.[2] They made their first official international debut[3] at the 2015 IFAF World Championship – Asian Qualifier Game against Japan on April 26, 2014. The Philippines was defeated by Japan on their first game with the score 0-86.[1][4][5]

The Philippines hosted their first ever international friendly at home against the Western Australian Raiders of the Australian Gridiron League.[3][6] The national team lost the match held at the Emperador Stadium by 7–56.[7] In 2015, the team organized a friendly match against the Korea Tigers, a team bannered by the Korea University.[8] The Aguilas lost to the Tigers, with the close scoreline of 33–38.[9]

Aguila All-Star era

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The national team is funded by its players, not by the government. It occasionally receives funds from sponsors. In 2016, a non-profit Player's Association was formed by players, which are part of teams that were part of ArenaBall Philippines such as the Bandits, Knights, Renegades, Wolves, and the Vanguards, as well as from other leagues such as the Templars and the Neros which were newly formed by the time of the association's establishment. This association uses its funds for international games, a free league and for charity events. The core of the national team is composed of players from this association and has adopted the moniker "All-Star Aguilas". This team is also known as the "Aguila All-Stars"[2]

All-Star Aguilas won their first match against an international opposition[2] when they won over the Korean Tigers at their second meeting at the PHIL-KOR Cup in February 2016.[10][11]

Fixtures and results

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Date Location Home Score Away Tournament Result Ref.
April 26, 2014 VITAL Field, Tokyo   Japan 86–0   Philippines 2015 IFAF World Championship qualification Lost
August 16, 2014 Emperador Stadium, Taguig   Philippines 7–56   W.A. Raiders Friendly Lost [7]
March 1, 2015 Emperador Stadium, Taguig   Philippines 33–38   Korea Tigers Friendly (2015 PHIL-KOR Cup) Lost [9]
March 1, 2016 Chelsea FC Blue Pitch Circuit, Makati   Philippines 19–8   Korea Tigers Friendly (2016 PHIL-KOR Cup) Won [11][12]

IFAF World Championship record

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Year Position GP W L PF PA
  1999 Did not enter,
not yet an IFAF member
  2003
  2007
  2011
  2015 Did not qualify

Coaches

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Nat. Head coach Term Tournament
From To
  William Yeh 2014[5] 2015 IFAF World Championship qualification
  Ivan Klaric 2014[13] N/A (Friendly against Western Australia Raiders)
  John Walker 2015[14][15] 2015 PHL-KOR Cup
  Edlen Hernandez[16] 2016 present 2016 PHIL-KOR Cup

References

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  1. ^ a b "Pilipinas Aguilas set to take flight in American football". InterAksyon. 17 February 2014. Archived from the original on 3 October 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d Suarez, J.P. (22 February 2016). History of Philippines Tackle Football, All-Star Aguilas. YouTube. PW Sports. Event occurs at Philippines. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  3. ^ a b Velasco, Bill (16 August 2014). "Aguilas' Day of Reckoning". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  4. ^ Leyba, Olmin (17 February 2014). "Aguilas venture into tackle football, vie in Asian elims". ABS-CBN News. The Philippine Star. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  5. ^ a b Ikezawa, Hiroshi (26 April 2014). "Japan rolls to 2015 IFAF berth with rout". Japan Times. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  6. ^ Velasco, Bill (21 July 2014). "The Aguilas' first homestand". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  7. ^ a b Fernandez, Rhoel (18 August 2014). "Aguilas finally find end zone, but admits journey to respectability has just begun". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  8. ^ Kelly, Roger (28 February 2015). "Philippines National Team To Host Korean Tigers in PHIL-KOR Cup". AFI Review. American Football International, LLC. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  9. ^ a b Kelly, Roger (2 March 2015). "Korean Tigers Defeat Pilpinas Aguilas, Philippines National Team". AFI Review. American Football International, LLC. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  10. ^ "All-Star Aguilas win Phil-Kor Cup 2016 against Korea Tigers". Inquirer Pop. 7 March 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  11. ^ a b "Aguilas dump Tigers in PHL-Korean Cup". Sun Star Bacolod. 29 February 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  12. ^ Kelly, Roger (14 March 2016). "Team Philippines Knocks Off Korean Tigers". AFI Review. American Football International, LLC. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  13. ^ Guerrero, Bob (14 April 2014). "Philippine Aguilas American Football Team Take on Aussies in Emperador This Sunday". Bob Guerrero PH. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  14. ^ "Korea Tigers hand Pilipinas Aguilas 3rd straight loss". The Summit Express. 1 March 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  15. ^ Fernandez, Rhoel (1 March 2015). "Pilipinas Aguilas denied by late Korean Tigers touchdown in international friendly". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  16. ^ "Phil-Kor Cup: PH tackle team goes head to head against Korea". Inquirer Pop. 17 February 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
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