The Makati Football Club Girls U13 squad didn’t just win a title in England—they took on some of the world’s most respected academies and came home with proof that Philippine youth football belongs on the global stage.

Facing powerhouse teams from across the globe, the girls from Makati FC stunned the field at Haileybury School grounds in Hertfordshire, defeating NCE New York, 3-1, in the final to claim the Girls Trophy Cup—an exclusive tournament for players born on or after January 1, 2012.

Their path to the top wasn’t easy. A 0-1 loss to Go Pro Dubai in the last group match could have rattled a lesser squad. Instead, it fueled a stunning semifinal win over the same team, this time by a 1-0 margin. And in the title match, Makati FC made their statement—resilient and united.

“This is not about winning tournaments,” said team manager Selu Lozano, who also now manages the national U17 women’s team set to compete in Tajikistan. “It’s about creating a pathway for homegrown talent and building a system that works. Our vision is long-term: to elevate the level of football in the Philippines by aligning our grassroots programs with the realities of world-class competition.”

That vision was on full display in the group stages, where Makati FC outshone well-established academy squads from Premier League programs Arsenal, Brighton, and Aston Villa. They defeated Linfield, 3-1, Brighton, 2-0, and Aston Villa, 3-0. Their match against Arsenal ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw, cementing their place at the top of the standings with 13 points.

Grace Gella, the youngest in the squad at just 11 years old and hailing from Pontevedra, Negros Occidental, marveled at the opportunity.

“I’m really grateful to be back in London and compete,” Gella said. “We were happy to play against strong teams, and I’m hopeful for more tough tournaments like this to come so we can continue to test ourselves and get better.”

Team captain Ariana Gementiza echoed that gratitude, noting that the experience was just as important as the result.

“We came here with no expectations to win because we know these are some of the best academy clubs in the world,” Gementiza said. “To be able to compete and come out on top makes us even more excited for the challenges and opportunities this win has opened up for us.”

Makati FC’s latest triumph adds another chapter to its growing legacy of international success. And the journey continues. Next April, they will head to the IberCup, where they’re slated to face European giants Real Madrid and Barcelona—plus a rematch against Sporting CP, the Portuguese club they pushed to penalties in last July’s final.