THROGGS NECK, NY – Maritime College Head Men's Lacrosse Coach Justin Manjares has been named the Head Coach of Philippines Men's National Sixes Team.  He will lead the Philippines through the qualifying process for the 2027 World Championships and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, starting with the Asia-Pacific Sixes Championships in Sunshine Coast, Australia from Oct. 5-10.

The top five teams at the Asia-Pacific Sixes Championships will qualify for the 2027 World Championships, which serve as the primary Olympic qualifier.  The highest-placed nation from each of the four regions (Pan-American, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Africa) at the World Championships will join the United States in the Olympic tournament.  There will also be a six-team Final Olympic Qualifying Tournament for the last spot in the Olympic field, with the participants in that event determined by their World Championships finish.  That tournament is set for March 2028.

"It's an honor to once again represent my family's heritage on the international stage," Manjares said.  "It's especially meaningful to have the opportunity to make history and potentially qualify for the first Olympic lacrosse tournament in 120 years."

He has been involved with Philippines Lacrosse since 2018.  Manjares previously served as the National Team head coach at the 2024 World Lacrosse Super Sixes – Hong Kong, where the Philippines won the silver medal.  He also led the Filipino National Team through a successful qualifying campaign for the 2023 World Championships (in the full-field 10-on-10 version of the sport, which will not be contested at the Olympics).

A three-time Skyline Conference Coach of the Year, Manjares guided the Privateers to their first Skyline title since 2022 this past season.  Maritime made its fourth all-time NCAA Tournament appearance and dropped a thrilling, 15-14 overtime decision at Scranton in the first round.