Despite the Philippines being ranked ninth in the AFC Women’s Club Rankings, a growing number of Filipina homegrown players are taking their talents overseas in search of regular playing opportunities and professional environments. The Philippines currently sits well ahead of both Myanmar and Cambodia in the AFC women’s club rankings, a position largely boosted by the success of the Filipinas on the international stage and the performances of Philippine clubs in AFC competitions.
However, the domestic landscape tells a different story. The 2025 PFF Women’s League featured just six teams and ran for three months, from March to June, with Kaya FC-Iloilo securing back-to-back league titles. The year before, there was no PFF Women’s League season, with only the shorter PFF Women’s Cup taking place. While the Philippines continues to produce talented players, many are now looking abroad to continue their development and pursue opportunities that are not always available at home.
Earlier this year, Tuloy FC announced that Jade Ann Jalique, Shien Payag, and Arjhane Bolivar would be joining XO United in the Cambodian Women’s League. Former De La Salle University standout Lyka Teves became another Filipina to move abroad, signing with Boeung Ket Women FC in Cambodia in April 2025. Meanwhile, Myanmar has become another destination for Filipino players seeking professional experience, with Pauline San Buenaventura, Bianca Sy, Mari Layacan, and Alyssa Ube all joining clubs in the Myanmar Women’s League.
Lyka Teves finds a new home in Cambodia
Former De La Salle University standout Lyka Teves has become one of the latest Filipina players to test herself overseas after signing with Boeung Ket Women FC in Cambodia. Teves was named UAAP Season 85 Best Striker and has featured for Capital1 Solar Strikers as well as Stallion Laguna FC during the club’s AFC Women’s Champions League campaign.
The move came shortly after her AFC Women’s Champions League quarterfinal experience with Stallion Laguna. According to Teves, it was former La Salle teammate Sara Castaneda who first reached out to her about the opportunity. “I’ve always dreamed of playing abroad, so I just went for the opportunity at hand,” Teves said. “This was my time to finally achieve something I’ve talked about to myself for so long. Cambodia seemed like the best fit for me for so many reasons, and I’m glad to say I’m happy with my decision to come here.” Adjusting to life outside the Philippines has come with challenges, but Teves says the transition has been easier thanks to the support she has received from her new club. “My experience so far has been nothing but good. Obviously, there is an adjustment since this is my first time living outside the Philippines, navigating different cultures and languages, but my teammates, coaches, and club have made this transition as easy as you could imagine. I’ve made such close friends here already, so I’m happy to know I’ve found my people.“
For Teves, the move represents the fulfillment of a childhood dream. “My main motivation to move was that I’ve always dreamed of playing abroad since I first started playing. Looking at older videos of myself compared to now, and seeing that I was brave enough to take a leap of faith and move, makes me a little nostalgic. I am most certainly making my younger self proud, and that’s something I can always hold on to.“
How Pauline San Buenaventura Helped Bring Filipinas to Myanmar
The pathway to Myanmar began with Pauline San Buenaventura. A former UST Lady Booters standout and Stallion Laguna FC player, San Buenaventura is also the founder of Blaze Athletics, a jersey manufacturing company based in Metro Manila. Through Stallion Laguna’s AFC Women’s Champions League campaign, she met officials from Myanmar football and developed relationships that would eventually lead to an opportunity with Yadanarbon FC Women. When the club began looking for foreign players, San Buenaventura recommended two fellow Filipinas, former Stallion teammate Mari Layacan and former UST Lady Booters captain Bianca Sy.
“I’m truly grateful for this opportunity not only to play professionally in Myanmar but also to help bring talented local Filipino players onto the international stage and showcase what they can do,” San Buenaventura said. Her early impressions of the league have been positive. “My first week with the team has been an amazing experience. I didn’t expect to be playing alongside so many talented players between 17 and 23 years old, and some of them are part of the Myanmar youth national team. Although the language barrier has been a bit challenging, my teammates have been doing their best to communicate with us, make us feel welcome, and help us adjust on and off the pitch.“
Bianca Sy takes the next step
For Bianca Sy, the move to Myanmar represented the opportunity she had been working toward throughout her football career. The former UST Lady Booters captain and youth national team player previously suited up for Azzurri SC, OMNI SS, and Roxas FC before making the leap overseas. “Becoming a professional football player has always been one of my biggest goals. I immediately saw it as a great opportunity and decided to accept the offer,” Sy said. Moving abroad for the first time has not been easy, but the experience has already helped her grow. “Honestly, the experience has been a bit overwhelming because it’s my first time being in this kind of professional setup and living away from home. However, day by day, I’ve been adjusting and learning a lot, both as a player and as a person.”
Sy credits her family for motivating her to pursue the opportunity. “What motivated me to move here to Myanmar is my dream of becoming a professional football player. It’s something I’ve worked hard for throughout the years, and I wanted to challenge myself at a higher level. At the same time, I’m also doing this for my family, who have supported me since I started my football journey at three years old.“
Mari Layacan Inspired by AFC Women’s Champions League Experience
Former De La Salle University standout Mari Layacan arrived in Myanmar carrying valuable experience gained from Stallion Laguna FC’s AFC Women’s Champions League campaign. A key goalscorer for the DLSU Lady Booters, Layacan helped the university secure multiple silver-medal finishes in the UAAP before playing for Capital1 Solar Strikers and Stallion Laguna FC. For Layacan, however, the journey to Myanmar was about more than football. Grounded in her faith, she viewed the opportunity as part of a greater purpose. “First of all, this is a completely God-given opportunity,” Layacan said. “My journey truly began right after I graduated from De La Salle University and played my final collegiate season in UAAP Season 88.” Her performances earned her a place in Stallion Laguna’s AFC Women’s Champions League squad, where she experienced the highest level of club football in Asia and featured in the club’s quarter-final clash against Japanese side Tokyo Verdy Beleza. “Seeing that elite level of play firsthand sparked a deep hunger in me to grow as a player and explore new horizons,” she said.
“As a rookie, transitioning to a new country and stepping into the role of an import is both an immense privilege and a massive responsibility. It has been a highly challenging experience, but an invaluable environment for my development.” Layacan credits her faith as the driving force behind her decision to embrace the challenge. “The main reason that brought me here was completely surrendering my future to God. Through obedience, I knew I had to step out of my comfort zone and embrace the unfamiliar, not just for myself, but for a greater purpose.” Her experience in Myanmar has also opened her eyes to the country’s football culture. “Being here and witnessing the football culture in Myanmar has been incredible. Football is huge here. I see so many talented young players whose passion inspires me. It makes me hopeful for the future of football back home, wishing that our players, especially in the women’s game, will soon receive the same level of support, infrastructure, and opportunities.” Beyond football, Layacan hopes her journey serves as a testimony to others. “This is just the beginning of my story. This chapter is a stepping stone for my future, whether I continue exploring the game on the pitch or wherever else I am led next. I move forward knowing that everything works together in accordance with His perfect plan.“
Alyssa Ube returns to Myanmar
Among the Filipinas playing abroad, Alyssa Ube is no stranger to Myanmar. The former Filipinas player was part of the historic squad that won the country’s first ASEAN women’s football title in 2022. She also starred for the UP Fighting Maroons, Manila Digger Women, and Stallion Laguna FC. Ube spent the 2025–26 season on loan with Ayeyawady FC Women, helping the club win the Myanmar Women’s League title. Following that successful campaign, she made the decision to return permanently. The opportunity first came after Stallion Laguna’s preparations for the AFC Women’s Champions League in Myanmar. “I just said yes right away,” Ube recalled. “After that experience, I said I wanted to play outside again. Ate Sam (Nierras) helped me look for another club and we got an offer, but I told her if Myanmar offered, I’m going to play there again. So here I am.” The support she has received has reaffirmed her decision .
“The people around me here are very kind and welcoming. Even with the language barrier, we find ways to communicate. The support from the people is also crazy. Every game, there are fans. Most of the time, the venue is nearly full.” For Ube, the move is about more than personal success. “After winning the championship with this team, I really wanted to play in the AWCL with them. But aside from that, what motivated me to play here is my dream to play outside the country and, hopefully, inspire younger players that our football career doesn’t end after UAAP or after school.”
Looking beyond Philippine shores
The growing number of Filipina players in Myanmar and Cambodia shows both the quality of talent being produced in the Philippines and the challenges facing the domestic women’s game. While the Philippines enjoys a higher AFC ranking than either country, players continue to seek opportunities in leagues that offer longer seasons, professional environments, and greater match exposure. For Teves, San Buenaventura, Sy, Layacan, Ube, and many others, the move abroad is not simply about playing football. It is about taking the next step in their careers, expanding their horizons, and proving that Filipino players belong on the international stage. Their journeys may have started in the Philippines, but increasingly, their ambitions are taking them far beyond its borders.