DIPOLOG/ILIGAN – Misamis Occidental-Ozamiz Football Association (MOOFA) and Camiguin-Misamis Oriental Regional Football Association (CMORFA) secured slots in the National Group Stage of the PFF U16 Boys’ National Championship 2025 following decisive performances in the Regional Qualifiers of Groups E and F.
Playing at the Dipolog City Sports Complex, MOOFA topped Group E with 7 points from two wins and one draw, capping their run with a crucial 2–0 victory over hosts Zamboanga del Norte Dipolog Regional Football Association (ZANDIRFA) on February 6.
In the group’s defining match, Geothomas Echaves broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute before MOOFA doubled the lead deep into stoppage time, courtesy of an own goal by ZANDIRFA’s Bien Icao (90+6’). Echaves, a student of De La Salle University–Ozamiz, was named Man of the Match.
MOOFA completed their campaign with the following results:
- MOOFA 2–0 ZANDIRFA
- MOOFA 1–1 Zamboanga City-Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi RFA (ZAMBASULTA RFA)
- MOOFA 4–1 Pagadian-Zamboanga del Sur-Sibugay RFA (PAZSSRFA)
They finished with 7 goals scored and only 2 conceded, for a +5 goal difference, placing them ahead of ZANDIRFA (6 points), ZAMBASULTA RFA (4 points), and PAZSSRFA (0 points).
MOOFA U16 Head Coach Pets Gerald Umbac celebrated the milestone, noting the long journey it took for their FA to reach this level.
“It’s history for our FA to win a PFF tournament and advance to the finals for the first time. We didn’t expect the result, but the players worked hard and gave everything on the field. Proud of this team,” Umbac said.
“Now we reap what we’ve planted—the hard work and dedication in grassroots football is finally bearing fruit. Still I’m on cloud nine after our big win. People called us underdogs; in past PFF tournaments lagi kaming tinatambakan ng ibang FA, but that only made our journey sweeter. Every game, every training, we fight for this,” he added.
In the simultaneous Group F competition at the Ludo Football Field in Iligan, CMORFA emerged group champion after finishing level on 7 points with hosts ILRFA, but advancing due to a commanding +16 goal difference.
CMORFA’s pivotal performance came in their 11–0 rout of SNADIRFA on February 5, a result that mathematically sealed the top spot. Basti Ordinan of Cagayan de Oro was named Man of the Match for his standout display.
“Isa pong malaking karangalan ito hindi lamang para sa akin, kundi para sa buong CMORFA—mula sa aming mga coaches, teammates, hanggang sa lahat ng patuloy na sumusuporta sa amin,” Ordinan told PFF. “Ipinapakita nito na kahit nagmula kami sa probinsya, kaya naming makipagsabayan at magpakita ng kalidad na football.”
“Through consistent daily training, our players, most of whom come from Rosevale School (Cagayan de Oro) have shown remarkable improvement, and their hard work is now bearing positive results. The achievement is a collective effort from everyone involved in the team,” CMORFA head coach Dennis Bongocan said.
Final standings for Group F:
- CMORFA – 7 pts (GD +16)
- ILRFA – 7 pts (GD +4)
- BANFA – 3 pts
- SNADIRFA – 0 pts
CMORFA scored 18 goals and allowed only 2, while ILRFA posted 8 scored and 4 conceded.
PFF extends its congratulations to both newly qualified teams and commends the host RFAs and local government units for their support in staging competitive regional matches.
PFF notes that the performances of associations such as MOOFA underscore the strengthening of grassroots development nationwide, while CMORFA’s consistent youth pipeline once again demonstrated the depth of football quality in Northern Mindanao.
As of press time, the PFF Competitions Department is determining the best second place team for U16 that will complete the cast of finalists in the National Group Stage.
The PFF U16 Boys’ National Championship 2025 – National Group Stage is scheduled to kick off later this year in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, bringing together regional champions from across the country to compete for national honors and to further showcase the next generation of Filipino football talent.
