Aboitiz Football Cup: Making communities winners

The Aboitiz Football Cup (AFC) of Aboitiz Foundation marked another meaningful milestone as it concluded its 25th season leg in Davao City — bringing together young athletes, families, and communities in a celebration of sport grounded in purpose.

What unfolded at the Tionko Football Grounds from 28 February to 1 March was more than a tournament. It was a reflection of how grassroots football continued to shape character, build discipline, and strengthen communities across the country.

Organized in partnership with the Davao South Regional Football Association and supported by Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines (CCEAP), Davao Light, Therma South, and Apo Agua, the Davao leg of AFC 2025 gathered over 100 teams in the under-16 and under-18 divisions. The champions will face off with other top teams from Luzon and Visayas in the AFC Champions League scheduled in May at the Aboitiz Pitch in Batangas.

More than competition

Founded in Cebu in 1997, the Aboitiz Football Cup has grown into the Philippines’ longest-running grassroots football program, engaging more than 50,000 players across over 2,000 teams nationwide. Its continued presence in Davao underscored a long-term commitment to making football accessible and inclusive — especially in regions where structured competition has steadily gained momentum.

“The Aboitiz Football Cup has always been about more than competition,” said Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, president of Aboitiz Foundation. “It has been a space where young people learned teamwork, discipline, and integrity — values they carried beyond the pitch and into their communities.”

Season 25 also demonstrated how sport and sustainability could move together. Through the Wasteless Campaign, participating teams extended their impact beyond the field by joining a coastal cleanup until May 2026 at Punta Dumalag – Aboitiz Cleanergy Park, supporting marine conservation and the protection of pawikan (sea turtle) habitats. Tournament operations were further streamlined through the Tournify App, reducing paper use through digital registration and match updates.

Environmental responsibility was reinforced through the “Tapon to Ipon” campaign in partnership with CCEAP, encouraging players and spectators to collect and recycle clear PET plastic bottles at match venues. The initiative turned simple acts into shared lessons on stewardship and accountability.

Beyond the city grounds, the Cup’s outreach extended to Marilog District, where a dedicated football clinic introduced the sport to selected upland schools. By providing foundational training and exposure, the program expanded opportunities for youth in highland communities — promoting active lifestyles and values formation where access to organized sports had previously been limited.

In Davao, the 25th season of the Aboitiz Football Cup proved once again that football was never just about winning matches. It was about building confidence, strengthening communities, and shaping young Filipinos who understood that leadership on the field could translate into responsibility beyond it.

DAVAO LEG RESULTS (February 28 to March 1, 2026)

U6

Champion - INTANGIBLES FC

Golden Boot - ZAYDEN ANOBA - ACES FC

Best Defender - MAVIS MACION

MVP - SKYLER CATUBAG

U7

Champion - PINEAPPLE COUNTRY FC

Golden Boot - ZM ANAZO

Best Defender - SILVOR BAG-AO

MVP - BELLA SPINEL

U8

Champion - CR7 FOODTRUCK FC

Golden Boot - LEVIS PEDRELOSA

Golden Gloves - ZILDJIAN MARLAY ANASCO

Best Defender - KENZO NEGRE

MVP - BELLA FAYE ESPINAL

U9

Champion - NUEVA VERGARA

Golden Boot - CALIBO SIMON

Golden Gloves - DEANGELO GONZALES

Best Defender - YOUSEFF JELALI

MVP - ANDRAY VILLAMOR

U10

Champion - TORTOL GROUNDS GENSAN FC

Golden Boot – RAHMAN JAVELLANA

Golden Glove - LUIS MANCERA

Best Defender - MATEO LIM

MVP - ZIVON COMPOC

U11

Champion - FAMAH

Golden Boot - PRINCE STEVES

Golden Gloves - CHRISTIAN MANGCAL

Best Defender - PALMONES DAVE

MVP - PRINCE STEVES

U12

Champion - CROCS FC

Golden Boot-EVAROLO HEBREW

KJBROWDIES

Golden Gloves-VENJO TESORO

Best Defender- JOEGE CALIS

MVP - KENJIE CATUBIG

U13

Champion - CROCS FC

Golden Boot - LEO VALLECERA (CROCS)

Golden Gloves - TESORO VENJO

Best Defender - SIMPAS JIROLI

MVP - CALATRAVA ROCK

U16

Champion - ROVERS FC

Golden Boot - TIMOTHY MARILAO

Golden Gloves - JAMES AARON BAUTISTA

Best Defender - JOAQUIN SAGUMAN

MVP - TIMOTHY MARILAO

U18

Champion - RMC BULLDOGS

Golden Boot - GABRIEL ARON ALAR

Golden Gloves - EMAN HAWA

Best Defender - LEOMER POLO

MVP - SAL VILLANUEVA

30 ABOVE

Champion - SPEEDY30

Golden Boot - JOHNNY BILLONES - TORIL A

Golden Gloves -LET POLO

Best Defender - JANREY ACASO

MVP - MARLO MENDOZA

MOMMIES

Champion - WOLVES FC

Golden Boot - SANCHES ESTELA

Golden Gloves - PAJIJI JENN

Best Defender - GABITO PENY

MVP – ALTERNADO EARTHA

DADDIES

Champion - WOLVES FC

Golden Boot - ADANA ANGELO JOHN

Golden Gloves - POLO LET

Best Defender - RODULFA DHANNY

MVP - PAJIJI JAMIL