The Zamboanga del Norte–Dipolog Regional Football Association (ZANDIRFA) and the Butuan–Agusan del Norte Football Association (BANFA) secured undefeated victories in the PFF U19 Boys’ National Championship 2025 – (Emerging Division) Regional Qualifiers for Groups E and F to earn their places in the National Group Stage.
In Group E at the Dipolog City Sports Complex, ZANDIRFA completed a three-win run to finish top of the standings with nine points. The host association outperformed Misamis Occidental–Ozamiz Football Association (MOOFA), Zamboanga-Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi Regional Football Association (ZAMBASULTA RFA), and Pagadian–Zamboanga del Sur–Sibugay RFA (PAZSSRFA). ZANDIRFA opened its campaign with an emphatic 4–1 victory over MOOFA, highlighted by goals from captain Josh Mikhel Castro, Jan Paul Pernito, Mark Jesson Borce, and Chrysler Mar Uy. Borce earned Man of the Match honors after a commanding midfield performance.
But it was not an easy route for ZANDIRFA as their opening win was followed with two tightly-contested games. Their second game was a 2–1 win over PAZSSRFA, with Uy scoring early before Pernito delivered the match-winning strike in the 77th minute. A resilient performance in the final matchday secured ZANDIRFA’s sweep, as substitute McIverson Morroscallo produced the lone goal in a 1–0 victory against ZAMBASULTA RFA. Morroscallo’s late finish capped a disciplined team performance that ensured ZANDIRFA’s place in the national round.
ZANDIRFA U19 Head Coach Jan Ortega praised both the team and tournament staff for navigating weather-related challenges, stating, “We are happy and proud of the results. Very grateful to ZANDIRFA and our school/club DMC College Foundation. Thankful for the officials and teams who participated. We pushed through with the games on match day 1 despite the weather and soggy pitch. A quick stop gap repair of the pitch made match day 2 and 3 better playing conditions.”
Top performer Jan Paul Pernito expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent the region on the national stage, saying, “Sobrang saya at proud ako na nanalo ang aming team sa regional stage laban sa malalakas na RFAs. Isang malaking karangalan para sa amin na makapag-representa sa darating na national [group] stage. Nagpapasalamat din ako sa PFF sa pagbibigay ng ganitong oportunidad dahil malaking tulong ito sa exposure at experience ng mga kabataang manlalaro upang maipakita ang kanilang talent.”
In Group F at the Ludo Football Field in Iligan, BANFA completed an impressive sweep of all four fixtures to claim the top position with 12 points. BANFA opened its campaign with a composed 2–1 win over Iligan–Lanao RFA (ILRFA), followed by a 4–2 victory against Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands RFA (SNADIRFA). The team sustained its momentum with back-to-back 2–0 wins against Camiguin–Misamis Oriental RFA (CMORFA) and Agusan del Sur–Surigao del Sur RFA (AGSURRFA), combining disciplined defending with efficient build-up play.
Despite spirited efforts from ILRFA and AGSURRFA, which both finished with seven points, BANFA’s perfect record ensured that only the Butuan-based squad advanced from the group. ILRFA emerged as the highest-scoring side of the qualifiers with 28 goals, but BANFA’s consistency and defensive structure proved decisive in determining the final outcome.
As of press time, the PFF Competitions Department is determining the two best second place teams for U19 to complete the ten finalist teams in the National Group Stage.
The Philippine Football Federation extends its congratulations to ZANDIRFA and BANFA for their qualification to the PFF U19 Boys’ National Championship 2025 – National Group Stage and commends all participating RFAs, local organizers, and match officials for their commitment to strengthening youth football across the country.
The PFF U19 Boys’ National Championship 2025 – National Group Stage will gather top regional performers later this year as part of the Federation’s continuing efforts to deepen the youth development pipeline and elevate grassroots football nationwide.
