BAGO/VICTORIAS — The 2026 Philippine Football Federation (PFF) U16-U19 National Boys’ Championships opened on Wednesday in Negros Occidental, with eight matches spread across 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 brought together the country’s most promising young regional footballers, drawing the attention of national team coaches who made the trip to Negros Occidental in search of the next generation of the Philippine men’s national football team.
U16: Iloilo-Guimaras impresses, NegOcc survives Camiguin-MisOr
The inaugural edition of the PFF U16 Boys’ Championship opened with four matches that delivered goals, late drama, and an early statement of intent from some of the country’s top regional football associations.
Iloilo-Guimaras Regional Football Association (IGRFA) turned in the most commanding performance of the opening day, dismantling North Cotabato’s Mount Apo Regional Football Association (MARFA), 6-0, in a result that announced Iloilo’s enduring football tradition on the national stage.
Captain Jaylord Dajay was the orchestrator-in-chief, combining sharp movement in transition with a clinical brace to earn the Player of the Match award. IGRFA’s dominance from the opening whistle left little doubt about their ambitions for the championship.
Zamboanga del Norte-Dipolog RFA (ZANDIRFA) also opened with a commanding 4-0 win over Misamis Occidental-Ozamiz FA (MOOFA), with Keith Vhan Francis Taclap and SJ Marco Miguel Saguin each scoring twice in the regional derby. Captain Rei Cayden was named Player of the Match for his leadership and influence throughout, helping ZANDIRFA claim a confident three points.
The hosts provided the most gripping story of the day. Negros Occidental Regional Football Association (NORFA) flew out of the blocks, netting twice in the opening five minutes, only to be pegged back by a resilient Camiguin-Misamis Oriental Regional Football Association (CMORFA) side that equalized through patient defending and calculated counterattacks.
It took a moment of brilliance in the dying seconds — Jeres Nengasca latching onto Niel Gella’s incisive through ball in the 90th minute — to snatch a 3-2 win and send the home crowd into raptures.
Golden Davao Regional Football Association (GODARFA) rounded out the U16 opening day with a disciplined 2-0 win over Iligan-Lanao Regional Football Association (ILRFA), building their winning platform in the first half and defending it firmly to the final whistle.
Among those watching closely from the sidelines was Philippine under-17 men’s national team head coach Joan Segura, who made the trip to Negros Occidental with a clear purpose.
“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 delivered a message directly to the young players on display, emphasizing the values he looks for in future national team members.
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%.
U19: ZamNor-Dipolog, Socsargen, Bohol shine; Olongapo-Zambales upsets Davao Sur
The U19 Emerging Division, which serves as the national qualifiers for the national finals to be held at a later date, also delivered an action-packed opening day in Victorias City.
ZANDIRFA produced the most eye-catching result, routing MOOFA, 6-2, on the back of a hat-trick from Mark Jesson Borce — a performance that immediately established ZANDIRFA as a side to watch in the group stages.
South Cotabato-Saranggani-General Santos RFA (SOCSARGEN RFA) also impressed, defeating MARFA, 4-1, with goals shared across the squad through Casing, Sedeng, Into, and Ensoy.
Province of Bohol RFA (PBRFA) blanked Butuan-Agusan del Norte (BANFA), 3-0, with Gian Carlo Virador and Khirby Virtucio on the scoresheet alongside a Kirk Morgan Cabachete own goal.
In the day’s most closely contested U19 fixture, newcomers Olongapo City-Zambales FA (OCZFA) edged Davao South RFA, 1-0, through a Christian Dave Bayog penalty at the end of the first half — a result that announced the debutants as genuine contenders in the group stage.
Philippine U23 men’s national team head coach Garrath McPherson was also present in Victorias City, and he underscored the importance of exactly this kind of tournament for the national team pipeline.
“We’re here to see the best talent from outside of Manila in this age group,” he 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.”
McPherson stressed that consistent activity at the regional level is what gives the national team program the visibility it needs to make better 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.
The 2026 PFF U16-U19 National Boys’ Championships continues in Negros Occidental with more group stage matches in the coming days.
