Action between the Philippines and Chinese Taipei in the bronze medal match of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Women’s Lacrosse Championship, January 11, 2025 at the Sunshine Coast Stadium in Queensland, Australia. Handout/World Lacrosse

MANILA -- The Philippine women's national lacrosse team completed a memorable debut campaign in the 2025 Asia-Pacific Women's Lacrosse Championship on Saturday by beating Chinese Taipei for the bronze medal.

An 18-6 victory at the Sunshine Coast Stadium in Queensland, Australia put the Philippines on the podium in their first ever participation in the tournament.

It's a positive sign for the Filipinas, who had already qualified to next year's World Championships after wins over Hong Kong and China in the group stage.

READ: Philippines qualifies to 2026 World Lacrosse Women's Championship

They lost to Australia (14-5) in their final game in pool play and fell to Japan (13-4) in the semifinals, but refused to go home empty-handed as they overpowered Chinese Taipei in the third-place match.

"This means absolutely everything. From the very start of this tournament, we faced adversity and stuck together," said Steph Lazo, who had five goals in the bronze medal match. "We adapted and adjusted, and this means so much for our country."

Four goals in the opening quarter set the tone of the match for the Philippines, and despite Chinese Taipei's attempts to make a game out of it, the Filipinas would not be denied. A six-goal haul in the third period restored their control and took the wind out of Chinese Taipei's hopes of a comeback.

Aside from Lazo, Sarah Nelson, Lizzie de Guzman, and Cat Roxas all scored three points each for the Filipinas. 

The 2026 World Lacrosse Women's World Championship will be held in Japan.