Filipino ice hockey crew blasts Iranians to be new queens of Asia
They say revenge is best served cold. The Philippine women’s ice hockey team handed one of that kind to Iran on Friday night.
The Nationals regained their bearings just in time to crush Iran, 4-2, and complete an unbeaten run in capturing the 2025 International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s Asia Cup at Al Hili Ice Rink in Abu Dhabi.
Despite being outshot by the enemy, 26-18, the Philippines, coached by Juhani Ijäs and led by ace Jasmin Alcido, dethroned the Iranians and gained a measure of payback for being forced to settle for silver in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, last year, ultimately ending a chase that spanned four tries.
“The [messaging] all weekend was to play for each other, to put ego aside and to do your job,” Alcido, who was later on crowned the MVP, told the Inquirer, just fresh from leading the Nationals to a dominant run that included the scalps of the host nation, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia and India.
“We [wanted] to play with our hearts and to be the hardest-working team; to play with no regrets and no excuses,” she added, but not without underscoring that the campaign was a team effort.
Trailing early
Trailing by a goal, Illeana Jimenez, Alcido and Bianca Cuevas got going in the second period to put pressure on the Iranians. Rosalyn Lim anchored the Philippine defense—the tournament’s best entering the finalé—by splendidly holding the line all night long as Alcido scored her second goal to put the outcome to bed.
“All that aside, our bond as a team on and off the ice, and our willingness to play for each other, is what made us champions,” said Alcido, a Canada-based forward who finished the meet with a tournament-best 24 points.
Rounding out the gold-medal winning squad are Kayla Herbolario, Mikayla Pe Aguirre, Kathleen Tan, Kimberly Sze, Cassia Marino, Alyssa Sanchez, Rhianne Alix, Rangel Benitez, Georgie Regencia, Kamil Cubillo, Gerardine Go, Rita Ceguerra, Nikka Villanueva, Eadrea Ham, Gabrielle Formoso-Laysico and Mikaella Lee.
“We had girls from all over the lineup step up and take risks because we trusted each other,” said Alcido, who had seven goals and three assists in a 15-0 rout of Kazakhstan, which touched off the winning streak.
