PASIG CITY — PFF Futsaliga, the Philippine Football Federation’s (PFF) newest nationwide domestic futsal league, officially kicked off its inaugural season on Saturday, February 28, with a tournament featuring 32 clubs and more than 500 players across four divisions: Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Under-17 Girls, and Under-17 Boys.
Held at the historic Philsports Arena, venue of the first-ever FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup in 2025, the three-month competition advances the PFF’s push to widen its grassroots futsal pipeline and elevate domestic competition standards nationwide. The league is supported by the generous support of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) led by Chairman Pato Gregorio, in cooperation with the National Capital Region Football Association and Bootcamp Football Shop.
PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez underscored the scale and momentum behind Philippine futsal:
In bringing together 32 clubs for the PFF Futsaliga, we are sparking a futsal fever in the country. Soon we will spread Futsaliga in the regions. This is the right moment to elevate futsal as one of our national sports. This is the legacy we are building from hosting the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup by providing a big platform for aspiring future Filipina5 and Filipino5 players.
Aside from the staging of the inaugural PFF Futsaliga, President Gutierrez added that equally important Futsaligas will be conducted in various regions and that PFF intends to create a semi-pro up to a professional futsal league in the future.
A wide net for grassroots development
The PFF Futsaliga’s structure—open divisions plus two youth categories, male and female—is designed to broaden participation, accelerate talent identification, and provide sustained competition for emerging players. The league will run until May 23–24, when the semifinalists and finalists in all divisions compete for the inaugural championship titles.
Matchday 1 launched the U17 Girls and U17 Boys competitions with eight games that showcased skill, enthusiasm, and the next generation of futsal standouts.
MATCHDAY 1 RESULTS
U17 GIRLS DIVISION
Star FC 4–1 EMA Bulacan Highlanders
Rizal’s Star FC delivered the tournament’s opening victory, powered by 14-year-old Maria Veronica Cruz of Montalban, who earned the season’s first Player of the Match award.
Nemesis Football Academy 10–0 Antipolo City FC
Nemesis FA opened their campaign with authority, led by 15-year-old Bianca Borabo, who fired five goals. Borabo shared the joy of playing on a world-class court:
Masaya po kasi nagkakaroon ako ng potential sa paglalaro… minsan maliit na court lang ang nalalaruan namin, kaya nakakatuwa makarating sa court na ginamit sa World Cup. Nagpapasalamat din ako dahil nagkakaroon ako ng bagong mga kaibigan dahil sa sport na ito.
Pasig Laban 3–1 Sporting QC
A strong second-half push secured host city Pasig Laban’s maiden victory. Team captain Zairra Jane Negros anchored Pasig’s stability.
Head coach Glenn Guardiano highlighted the city’s grassroots system.
“Yung naglalaro ngayon ay produkto ng grassroots program ng Pasig LGU… Now the kids are on center stage. Proud kami as coaches dahil konti lang ang makakaapak dito for an official match.”
Beach Hut 3-0 Silangan FC Cainta
Beach Hut closed the quadruple-header with a composed but aggressive performance against a team that showed patient ball distribution, with Candice Salas winning Player of the Match for her decisive scoring and defensive discipline.
U17 BOYS DIVISION
Star FC 5–0 Nemesis FA (Default)
A default result handed Star FC the opening win of the U17 Boys division.
Sporting QC 3–2 Pasig Laban
Sporting QC edged Pasig Laban in a dramatic finish, with Jansen Dapitan bouncing in a late free kick off Pasig’s wall to break a 2–2 deadlock and seal the win. Head coach Carmelo Culvera praised the experience:
This is an actual simulation of the FIFA [Futsal Women’s] World Cup because we’re playing on the real size of [a] futsal [court]. Every game, we hope the kids grow. We’re thankful to PFF for making us part of this wonderful experience.
Paul Stiga Academy 3–0 Antipolo City FC
Cavite City’s Jonmarl Rabanal captained Paul Stiga Academy with composure to earn Player of the Match honors.
EMA Bulacan Highlanders 3–1 Manila Futsal Team
Ashlee Saguimo powered EMA Bulacan’s victory, later recalling his excitement:
“Hindi ako makapaniwala… excited po ako, hindi ako makatulog. Buti na lang hapon ang laro kaya nakatulog ako nang mahaba.”
A landmark start
The PFF Futsaliga’s landmark kickoff affirms the Federation’s long-term commitment to expanding domestic futsal, leveraging world-class venues, and investing in youth pathways that will ultimately strengthen the country’s international competitiveness.
PFF thanks all the participating teams, players, coaches, parents, and supporters for the successful opening day.
