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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Aboitiz Football Cup) |
The 24th Aboitiz Football Cup brought together talent, teamwork, and the vibrant community spirit recently at the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Tarlac. As one of the country’s longest-running grassroots sports tournaments, the Aboitiz Football Cup highlighted its commitment to building stronger communities, fostering camaraderie, and nurturing the potential of Filipino youth. This year’s edition is particularly special as the tournament expands through regional legs in Tarlac, Batangas, and Davao, further extending its reach and impact.
The Aboitiz Football Cup is more than just a sports event — it is a platform that empowers young athletes, inspiring them to embrace values of resilience, discipline, and sportsmanship. Every match became an opportunity for these players to demonstrate their passion, skill, and dedication to the sport. In line with its vision for sustainable development, this year’s tournament introduced the “Wasteless Campaign” in collaboration with Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. (CCBPI). This initiative underscores the Aboitiz Group's belief in harmonizing sports with sustainability, encouraging young athletes to champion environmental stewardship on and off the field. Over two weekends in October, more than 1,000 participants across 48 teams took part in the Tarlac leg, representing a wide range of age groups from U-8 to U-18. Families, sports enthusiasts, and the wider community gathered to cheer on their local teams, fostering unity and promoting active lifestyles across Tarlac. The tournament’s winners included:
U-8: Pilman Balanga FC (Champion), Clark International Football Academy (CIFA) (Second), Gerona FC (Third), MVP: Danielle John Liegue
U-10: Pilman Balanga FC (Champion), Ash FC (Second), Gerona FC (Third), MVP: Dylan Miguel Liegue
U-12: Pilman Balanga FC (Champion), Sta. Ignacia (Second), Camp Aquino (Third), MVP: Edu Sangalang
U-14: Dinadiawan B FC (Champion), BASA B FC (Second), Dinadiawan A (Third), MVP: Mark Nigel Solomon
U-16: Ciudad de Urdaneta FC (Champion), CIFA (1st Runner-Up), BASA FC (2nd Runner-Up), Piliman Balanga (3rd Runner-Up), MVP: Ralph Rogojos
U-18: Don Bosco B (Champion), CIFA B (1st Runner-Up), BASA FC (2nd Runner-Up), Tarlac National Highschool (3rd Runner-Up), MVP: Josh Flores
The top two teams from each regional festival will have the privilege of participating in a special exhibition match in Cebu, the birthplace of the Aboitiz Football Cup, culminating in a celebration of sporting excellence. Tarlac is also home to Aboitiz InfraCapital’s latest project, TARI Estate, which is a 200-hectare development that will redefine the economic landscape of Central Luzon. This forward-thinking project is projected to create up to 60,000 jobs, while integrating commercial lots, retail spaces, and essential infrastructure — laying the foundation for a vibrant and dynamic community.
