PFF youth tilt opens in Negros Occidental

BAGO/VICTORIAS — The 2026 Philippine Football Federation U16-U19 National Boys’ Championships opened Wednesday in Negros Occidental, with national team coaches scouting young players from regional football associations across the country.

Eight matches were played on opening day, split between the inaugural U16 Championship at the Manuel Y. Torres Sports Center in Bago City and the U19 National Group Stages in Victorias City.

The twin competitions gathered some of the country’s most promising young regional footballers as the PFF continues to strengthen its youth development pipeline for future national teams.

The inaugural PFF U16 Boys’ Championship opened with four matches that produced goals, late drama, and early statements from several regional football associations.

Iloilo-Guimaras Regional Football Association delivered the most dominant U16 result of the day, routing North Cotabato’s Mount Apo Regional Football Association, 6-0.

Captain Jaylord Dajay led IGRFA with a brace and was named Player of the Match.

The result underscored Iloilo’s long-standing football tradition and immediately marked IGRFA as a contender in the championship.

Zamboanga del Norte-Dipolog RFA also opened strongly with a 4-0 win over Misamis Occidental-Ozamiz FA.

Keith Vhan Francis Taclap and SJ Marco Miguel Saguin scored two goals each for ZANDIRFA in the regional derby.

Captain Rei Cayden was named Player of the Match for his leadership and influence throughout the match.

Hosts Negros Occidental Regional Football Association produced the day’s most dramatic U16 finish.

NORFA scored twice in the first five minutes before Camiguin-Misamis Oriental Regional Football Association rallied through patient defending and calculated counterattacks to tie the match.

Jeres Nengasca rescued the hosts in the 90th minute, latching onto Niel Gella’s through ball to seal a 3-2 win and ignite the home crowd.

Golden Davao Regional Football Association completed the U16 opening-day winners with a disciplined 2-0 victory over Iligan-Lanao Regional Football Association.

GODARFA built its advantage in the first half and defended firmly until the final whistle.

Philippine under-17 men’s national team head coach Joan Segura watched the matches in Negros Occidental as part of the national team’s talent-identification efforts.

“I’m here to check the new players for the future in the national team,” the Spanish gaffer said.

“My target is to try to improve Philippine football,” Segura added.

Segura also urged the young players to embrace the standards needed at the national level.

“Work hard every day, especially always play with passion — this is the most important thing. Play with passion, and try to improve every day, step by step. Every minute, every action in the field, give 100%,” he said.

In Victorias City, the U19 Emerging Division also opened with four matches as teams began their bid to qualify for the national finals to be held at a later date.

ZANDIRFA produced the most eye-catching U19 result, routing MOOFA, 6-2.

Mark Jesson Borce scored a hat trick for ZANDIRFA, immediately establishing his side as one to watch in the group stages.

South Cotabato-Saranggani-General Santos RFA also made a strong start with a 4-1 win over MARFA.

SOCSARGEN RFA shared the goals through Casing, Sedeng, Into, and Ensoy.

Province of Bohol RFA blanked Butuan-Agusan del Norte, 3-0.

Gian Carlo Virador and Khirby Virtucio scored for PBRFA, while Bohol also benefited from a Kirk Morgan Cabachete own goal.

In the closest U19 match of the day, newcomers Olongapo City-Zambales FA edged Davao South RFA, 1-0.

Christian Dave Bayog converted a penalty at the end of the first half to give OCZFA a winning debut and announce the side as a genuine group-stage contender.

Philippine under-23 men’s national team head coach Garrath McPherson was also in Victorias City to assess players outside Metro Manila.

“We’re here to see the best talent from outside of Manila in this age group,” McPherson said.

“It obviously needs tournaments like this one that invites the best players from all the RFAs together, and it’s important that as national team staff we’re here seeing the best talent available — not just inside Manila,” he added.

McPherson said regular regional competitions help national team coaches monitor player development and make better selection decisions.

“We need to know who our players are, where they’re playing, and activity gives us updates on them. When we do have tournaments, we can make better decisions on the players we bring in,” he said.

The 2026 PFF U16-U19 National Boys’ Championships will continue in Negros Occidental with more group-stage matches in the coming days. (PFF)