Turrentine savors time with Filipinas

Filipino-American defender Jaime Turrentine admitted that she got emotional when she joined the national women’s football team’s nine-day training camp last February.

Turrentine, who plays for the Portuguese second division squad Vitoria SC, said she relished her time training with the Filipinas under head coach Mark Torcaso. In fact, the last time she joined a talent identification camp was in 2013 in California.

“I was just in shock because, after all these years, I was given the chance to come back and play for the national team. I just kept saying thank you for not forgetting about me,” Turrentine said.

“Honestly, walking up to the pitch, there were tears in my eyes. I just saw all the fans and was with the girls who had been with the team for so long, some of whom I knew from camp in 2013. It really is a feeling I can’t put into words.”

The 30-year-old Turrentine’s European experience will surely boost the Filipinas’ defense.

Should Turrentine be included, she will join the likes of Angie Beard, Jessika Cowart, and Hali Long in providing defensive aid to goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel.

The Filipinas are set to defend their MSIG Serenity Cup in Indonesia in June and compete in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers from 23 June to 5 July and the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand from 9 to 20 December.

Torcaso said he has been monitoring the San Leonardo, California native of her progress in Portugal.

“I have tracked her for some time. She is a very important player for something that we want for the future,” Torcaso said.

“Jaime is going to be an excellent inclusion in the future and she constantly proves herself as we go on.”