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