Philippines national American football team

Philippines
AssociationAmerican Tackle Football Federation of the Philippines
ContinentAsia
ColorsBlue, red, yellow
Nickname(s)All-Star Aguilas
Uniform
 

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

History

Early history

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

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

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]

Tackle football activity in general in the Philippines was distrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic which started in 2020.[12]

Fixtures and results

Date Location Home Score Away Tournament Result Ref.
April 26, 2014 VITAL Field, Tokyo  Japan 86–0 Philippines 2015 IFAF World Championship qualification Lost [13]
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][14]

IFAF World Championship record

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

Coaches

Nat. Head coach Term Tournament
William Yeh 2014[5] 2015 IFAF World Championship qualification
Ivan Klaric 2014[15] N/A (Friendly against Western Australia Raiders)
John Walker 2015[16][17] 2015 PHL-KOR Cup
Edlen Hernandez[18] 2016 2016 PHIL-KOR Cup

References

  1. ^ a b "Pilipinas Aguilas set to take flight in American football". Interaksyon. February 17, 2014. Archived from the original on October 3, 2015. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d Suarez, J.P. (February 22, 2016). History of Philippines Tackle Football, All-Star Aguilas. YouTube. PW Sports. Event occurs at Philippines. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  3. ^ a b Velasco, Bill (August 16, 2014). "Aguilas' Day of Reckoning". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  4. ^ Leyba, Olmin (February 17, 2014). "Aguilas venture into tackle football, vie in Asian elims". ABS-CBN News. The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  5. ^ a b Ikezawa, Hiroshi (April 26, 2014). "Japan rolls to 2015 IFAF berth with rout". The Japan Times. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  6. ^ Velasco, Bill (July 21, 2014). "The Aguilas' first homestand". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  7. ^ a b Fernandez, Rhoel (August 18, 2014). "Aguilas finally find end zone, but admits journey to respectability has just begun". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  8. ^ Kelly, Roger (February 28, 2015). "Philippines National Team To Host Korean Tigers in PHIL-KOR Cup". AFI Review. American Football International, LLC. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  9. ^ a b Kelly, Roger (March 2, 2015). "Korean Tigers Defeat Pilpinas Aguilas, Philippines National Team". AFI Review. American Football International, LLC. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  10. ^ "All-Star Aguilas win Phil-Kor Cup 2016 against Korea Tigers". Inquirer Pop. March 7, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  11. ^ a b "Aguilas dump Tigers in PHL-Korean Cup". Sun Star Bacolod. February 29, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  12. ^ Caniza, Annika (July 1, 2024). "This NFL Player Says Pinoys Can Shine in Flag Football". The Game. One Mega Group Inc. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  13. ^ "アメリカンフットボール日本代表オフィシャルサイト". American Football Japan National Team (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 26, 2018. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  14. ^ Kelly, Roger (March 14, 2016). "Team Philippines Knocks Off Korean Tigers". AFI Review. American Football International, LLC. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  15. ^ Guerrero, Bob (April 14, 2014). "Philippine Aguilas American Football Team Take on Aussies in Emperador This Sunday". Bob Guerrero PH. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  16. ^ "Korea Tigers hand Pilipinas Aguilas 3rd straight loss". The Summit Express. March 1, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  17. ^ Fernandez, Rhoel (March 1, 2015). "Pilipinas Aguilas denied by late Korean Tigers touchdown in international friendly". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  18. ^ "Phil-Kor Cup: PH tackle team goes head to head against Korea". Inquirer Pop. February 17, 2016. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
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