AFC Women's Asian Cup
A steady rise in recent years resulted in a historic FIFA Women’s World Cup debut in 2023, while Markey was part of the side that clinched a maiden gold medal at the SEA Games in December last year.
The 18-year-old, who is among a group of young players in the third-youngest team at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™, is aware of the contributions from the likes of Hali Long, the country’s only centurion, as well as other stalwarts like Sofia Wunsch, Sara Eggesvik, the McDaniel sisters and Katrina Guillou.
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“The older players have definitely created such a historic path for us, and we as younger players are really just hoping to continue that momentum for the rest of the country and the rest of the team,” Markey said.
“They have just implemented such an amazing foundation for us to follow and for us to build off as well. We are really just looking to continue to build off that, and their encouragement and support has meant everything to us.”
“They have just implemented such an amazing foundation for us to follow and for us to build off as well. We are really just looking to continue to build off that, and their encouragement and support has meant everything to us.”
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Born in Fullerton, California in the United States, Markey has heritage through her Filipino mother and first linked up with the Filipinas in March 2023 at the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2024™ Qualifiers.
The left-sided player, who can fill in at both defence and midfield, then captained the U17s to a historic first-ever AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ qualification in the same year, playing every game in the Qualifiers as well as the Finals in Indonesia.
Brought into the senior side by Mark Torcaso in October 2024, Markey received her first cap at last December’s SEA Games and scored on her debut, as well as in the penalty shootout of their victory over Vietnam in the final.
Currently on the roster of Pepperdine University, Markey came off the bench against Australia in their Group A opener and started the second match against Korea Republic.
The left-sided player, who can fill in at both defence and midfield, then captained the U17s to a historic first-ever AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ qualification in the same year, playing every game in the Qualifiers as well as the Finals in Indonesia.
Brought into the senior side by Mark Torcaso in October 2024, Markey received her first cap at last December’s SEA Games and scored on her debut, as well as in the penalty shootout of their victory over Vietnam in the final.
Currently on the roster of Pepperdine University, Markey came off the bench against Australia in their Group A opener and started the second match against Korea Republic.
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“I have just been so blessed and honoured to just be able to represent the flag and be able to represent the flag on so many different levels, from the youth level to the senior level,” she said.
“It has just meant so much to me to be able to represent my family back home, and just (to) have a country and people behind me as well, like, their support has just been amazing. And hopefully, I aspire in the future just to continue to lift this country up and to continue making history, just as players in the past have.”
“It has just meant so much to me to be able to represent my family back home, and just (to) have a country and people behind me as well, like, their support has just been amazing. And hopefully, I aspire in the future just to continue to lift this country up and to continue making history, just as players in the past have.”
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Torcaso, who took the reins in August 2023 after the Philippines’ World Cup outing, is keen to create a bright future for the Philippines and noted that part of the plan is finding and bringing through players like Markey, regardless of where they are based.
“The beauty of our Philippines people (is that) there are so many around the world, and they all love and are passionate about the country,” he said.
“So that process is one of the most exciting parts, is scouting the girls, talking to the girls, building relationships with them, and then when they put on the shirt for the first time… that is pleasing for me and a proud moment for me and all our coaching staff and everyone back home in the Philippines."
“The beauty of our Philippines people (is that) there are so many around the world, and they all love and are passionate about the country,” he said.
“So that process is one of the most exciting parts, is scouting the girls, talking to the girls, building relationships with them, and then when they put on the shirt for the first time… that is pleasing for me and a proud moment for me and all our coaching staff and everyone back home in the Philippines."
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“And to have an influence on helping players like Ari(ana) represent the country on the senior level is one of the most pleasing and promising things… it is about trying to make sure that every young girl in the Philippines aspires to be one of these girls, in particular, people like Ari next to me. That is our job.
“We know that we have got a very young team here, but we also want to get to get to a World Cup too, because it helps these players get better and grow… and I believe we have a job as coaches and as a national team to help (with) that path for them as well, because if they are really good with their clubs and they get good professional contracts, they are going to be good for our national team.”
“We know that we have got a very young team here, but we also want to get to get to a World Cup too, because it helps these players get better and grow… and I believe we have a job as coaches and as a national team to help (with) that path for them as well, because if they are really good with their clubs and they get good professional contracts, they are going to be good for our national team.”
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