The last remaining spot in the inaugural National U16 Championship was secured by the Iligan-Lanao Regional Football Association (ILRFA), who finished with four points in the tiebreak – one point ahead of Quezon RFA. ILRFA joins Group B alongside Golden Davao RFA, Camiguin-Misamis Eastern RFA (CMORFA), Negros Occidental RFA and Olongapo City-Zambales Football Association (OCZFA). Group A consists of the National Capital Region FA, Central Bicol FA, Misamis Occidental-Ozamiz FA, Mount Apo FA and Iloilo-Guimaras FA.
ILRFA was proud of its qualification, stating that the team’s “hard work, dedication and teamwork have paid off – ILRFA goes national!” Highlighting the efforts of their standout players, Head Coach Uriel Burda added: “We are so happy and proud that the ILRFA football team has qualified for the National Finals… Thank you, PFF.”
In the U19 Emerging Division, two top runners-up advance: MARFA of Cotabato and OCZFA. MARFA topped the tiebreaks with four points, while OCZFA Camarines Norte defeated RFA by two goals on goal difference for the final final. MARFA finds itself in Group A with Laguna RFA, CBRFA, Zamboanga del Norte-Dipolog RFA and South Cotabato-Sarangani-General Santos RFA. OCZFA joins Cordillera RFA, Butuan-Agusan del Norte FA and Davao South RFA.
OCZFA president Roberto Dy said their simultaneous U16 and U19 qualification is “a testament to how good and alive football is in our region,” adding that the achievement is a confirmation of years of grassroots work in Olongapo, Zambales and Bataan.
PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez congratulated all qualified teams and emphasized that these results reflect excellent regional development. “Every RFA has worked hard to reach this stage, and we appreciate their efforts in developing our youth. These teams represent the strength of Philippine grassroots football,” he said.
He also reaffirmed the Federation’s national talent scouting mandate: “PFF is committed to scouring every corner of the country to find young, fresh talents. Well-organized national tournaments like these ensure that deserving players and teams have the platform to rise to the top.”
PFF looks forward to an exciting national group stage in Bacolod in April, where the country’s best youth teams will battle for national supremacy and continued football excellence.
Final list of qualified teams for the PFF Boys’ National Championship:
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