BAGO CITY — National Capital Region Football Association (NCRFA) showed the heart and tactical adaptability of a championship contender, recovering from a difficult first half to defeat hosts Negros Occidental RFA (NORFA), 3-1, in the second semifinal of the inaugural 2026 PFF U16 National Boys’ Championship at the Manuel Y. Torres Sports Center in Bago City on Tuesday.
NCRFA drew first blood in the seventh minute when Iñigo Ramirez found the net from the right side of the box, finishing smartly off Johannesberg Ortigas’ side pass from a dribbling attack inside the area.
NORFA responded emphatically four minutes later through one of the moments of the tournament, with Jhon Luke Libunao launching a curling strike from 40 yards in the midfield that flew into the goal to level at one apiece.
NORFA then made life difficult for their visitors, executing an impeccable offside trap that repeatedly snared NCRFA’s attacking runners and disrupted their rhythm throughout the remainder of the first half. It was disciplined, intelligent defending from the hosts and for a time, it appeared it might be the difference.
But NCRFA head coach Dan Padernal made his adjustments at halftime, and the response was devastating. Within two minutes of the restart, NCR had turned the match on its head entirely.
Ramirez curled a sumptuous finish into the net from the right area of the box off a Zac Mitchell midfield lob in the 51st minute to restore their lead, and just sixty seconds later, Kieran Jacob tapped home after Ramirez’s through ball was erratically cleared by NORFA defender Fire John Serfino directly into Jacob’s path to make it 3-1. The blitzkrieg was complete.
Ramirez, who finished with two goals and an assist, embodied the spirit of the performance in his post-match reflections.
“We never gave up no matter the offsides, no matter the mistakes,” he said. “Coach Dan is really good at adjusting and it has helped us score more goals. Obviously, as an NCR player, we’re gonna go all out. Even though we lost to Iloilo in the group stage, we’re gonna win this and get NCR’s title.”
Padernal was generous in his praise of his players while revealing the confidence that carried his side through the pressure.
“The boys stepped up for the challenge — I know that NORFA would not be giving it to us, the players worked out for it,” he said. “The ball rotation and our penetration passes are very effective, so I give all the credit to the boys.”
Looking ahead to the final, Padernal was measured but determined. “Finals is a different story. It’s about making history here in the U16 national finals. May the best men win.”
The stage is set. IGRFA and NCRFA meet in the inaugural PFF U16 National Boys’ Championship Final at 9:00 AM on Wednesday at the Manuel Y. Torres Sports Center, preceded by the third-place playoff between NORFA and OCZFA at 6:30 AM. The awarding ceremony follows the final. Admission is free, and a free livestream will be available via the Philippine Football Federation’s official Facebook and YouTube accounts.
