Philippine Air Force and Don Bosco Garelli United headline the inaugurals of the annual Copa Paulino Alcantara that gets going today at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Both clubs clash at 4:30 p.m. as the national cup competition starts with 17 teams vying for honors in the bootfest.

This will be the first time in the competition's history that it allowed non-professional clubs to participate.

Philippine Army FC and Tuloy FC will cap off the day's double header at 6:30 p.m.

But eyes will be on Air Force which last competed in the 2019 edition of the tournament.

The Air Force missed out in the knockout stages of the Copa Paulino Alcantara after failing to make it into the top two of the group.

Air Force and Don Bosco are in Group A with PFL champion Kaya FC-Iloilo, University Athletic Association of the Philippines champion Far Eastern University, Club de Futbol Manila FC and Loyola FC.

Don Bosco coach Karl Claudio said he couldn't wait to see the team be tested against tough competition in their debut in the tournament.

"The team is very excited to take part in this tournament. This is the first time we are going in the upper leagues. We're looking forward to competing with all the teams," Claudio said.

"We want to know how the team will perform in this kind of league."

Admission is free for all the games in the Copa Paulino Alcantara.