Six teams seal PFF U19 Elite Finals spots

The final match day of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) U19 Emerging Division national qualifiers delivered drama, jubilation, and a historic conclusion on Sunday in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, as the last six spots in the Elite Division Finals were claimed.

In Bago City, the National Capital Region Football Association (NCRFA) formally joined Iloilo-Guimaras RFA (IGRFA) in the U16 semifinals, while inclement weather forced the postponement of the two remaining Group B matches to Monday, May 4.

U16: NCRFA through

The Manuel Y. Torres Sports Center in Bago City hosted a pair of Group A finales on Sunday, with both results carrying significant weight for the overall standings.

Mount Apo Regional Football Association (MARFA), representing the province of Cotabato, signed off on their inaugural national championship campaign with a spirited 2-0 victory over Misamis Occidental-Ozamiz FA (MOOFA), finishing third in Group A with six points.

Player of the Match Aaron Savillo led MARFA’s composed and determined display — a fitting final performance for a team that punched above their weight throughout the tournament.

While goal difference ultimately separated them from a semifinals berth, MARFA’s debut in the national championship was a testament to Cotabato’s growing football ambitions.

Both MARFA and MOOFA depart Bago City with heads held high, having represented their regions with pride in the inaugural edition.

The decisive result of the day, however, came in the other Group A fixture, where NCRFA emphatically secured their semifinals place with a 4-1 dismantling of Zamboanga del Norte-Dipolog RFA (ZANDIRFA).

La Salle Zobel’s Marcus Tanjangco was the star of the show, scoring a brace and controlling the tempo of the match to earn the Player of the Match award.

In the aftermath, Tanjangco made clear that NCRFA’s ambitions extend well beyond just reaching the last four.

“We’re looking forward to playing in the semifinals — we want to win, and we’re coming for the championship,” he said.

Asked what supporters should expect from NCRFA in the semifinals, the young midfielder was equally direct.

“Expect some passing, some commitment and dedication to win the game — because we came all the way here and we’re not coming here to lose.”

ZANDIRFA, who showed enormous heart throughout the group stage representing the Zamboanga Peninsula, depart with three points and the experience of competing on the national stage for the first time.

With Group B matches between Golden Davao RFA (GODARFA) versus Camiguin-Misamis Oriental RFA (CMORFA), and hosts Negros Occidental RFA (NORFA) versus Olongapo City-Zambales FA (OCZFA) postponed due to inclement weather, the remaining two semifinal spots will be decided on Monday.

U19: Elite field complete after dramatic final day

Five days of intense football across Victorias City concluded on Sunday with the U19 Emerging Division national qualifiers producing six more qualified teams for the Elite Division Finals — and doing so in the most compelling fashion.

In Group A, South Cotabato-Sarangani-General Santos RFA (SOCSARGEN) opened proceedings with a dominant 6-0 blanking of Zamboanga del Norte-Dipolog RFA (ZANDIRFA), with Mark Joshua Sedeng and Yehoshua Dwayne Cabucay each scoring a brace to seal SOCSARGEN’s Finals berth in style.

Laguna RFA (LRFA) promptly settled the matter in the day’s most emphatic scoreline, demolishing MOOFA, 12-0, in the biggest win of the entire national qualifiers.

Rolando John Torres was named Player of the Match as LRFA topped Group A in commanding fashion.

ZANDIRFA ultimately claimed third place in Group A, also earning their place in the Elite Division alongside LRFA and SOCSARGEN.

In Group B, Davao South RFA (DRFA) and Cordillera Administrative Region FA (CARFA) produced the performances needed to complete the ten-team Elite Division field.

DRFA romped to a 6-1 win over Butuan-Agusan del Norte FA (BANFA), with Lleomer Polo delivering a stunning display — a hat-trick inside the first 20 minutes and a fourth goal in the 68th minute sealed a qualification campaign that DRFA can be immensely proud of.

In the final match of the Emerging Division, CARFA defeated Province of Bohol RFA (PBRFA), 3-1, completing one of the most unlikely qualification stories of the tournament.

Coming through the eye of a needle after losses in their first two matches, CARFA’s head coach Nestor Udan, Jr. spoke with characteristic candor about the journey.

“Coming from two losses, first and second game, dumaan kami dun sa butas ng karayom for us to get the third place and qualify to the next stage,” he said. “We are not satisfied with the result — we will use this as our motivation to be better.”

Udan reserved special praise for the players and the support structure that made the campaign possible.

“I would like to thank all of the players, the Cordillera Regional Football Association, and the Baguio City Soccer Club who supported us all the way here. Without them, hindi kami matutuloy dito. Thank you so much, Cordillerans.”

With the Emerging Division concluded, the ten-team Elite Division field is now set.

Direct entrants defending champions Cebu RFA, Negros Occidental RFA, Iloilo-Guimaras RFA, and National Capital Region FA will be joined by Emerging Division qualifiers Olongapo City-Zambales FA, Laguna RFA, SOCSARGEN, Davao South RFA, CARFA, and Zamboanga del Norte-Dipolog RFA.

PFF extends its warmest gratitude to the Victorias City LGU and the Victorias City National High School for their exceptional hospitality and hosting throughout the Emerging Division campaign — an experience that the young players, coaches, and officials will carry with them long after the final whistle. (PFF)