The Philippine women’s ice hockey team made history on Friday night, June 6, after defeating defending champion Iran, 4-2, to capture the gold medal at the 2025 IIHF Women’s Asia Cup held in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
This triumph marks the country’s first-ever gold medal in the regional tournament, capping off a perfect 5–0 sweep against some of Asia’s top emerging teams.
“Driven by the stellar play of Kathleen Tan (#33), our Player of the Game, and the consistent brilliance of Jasmin Alcido (#87), the Best Player for the Philippines, every single player poured their heart and soul into this historic win!” said Hockey Philippines in a celebratory post.
Alcido, the teenage forward who had been a force throughout the tournament, once again delivered under pressure, scoring two goals and assisting another in the gold medal match. Her performance helped the Philippines build a commanding 3–1 lead after the second period. Iran, known for its speed and structured play, rallied in the final frame but couldn’t close the gap.
The win not only dethrones Iran but also signals the Philippines’ growing strength in women’s hockey across Asia. Their path to the title included lopsided victories over Kyrgyzstan, UAE, Malaysia, and India.
The 2025 edition of the IIHF Women’s Asia Cup saw six teams—Philippines, Iran, India, Malaysia, Kyrgyzstan, and host UAE—compete in 15 high-intensity matches, reflecting the rapidly rising talent and enthusiasm for ice hockey in the region.
