The Aboitiz Football Cup (AFC), organized by the Central Visayas Football Association (CVFA) and led by Aboitiz Foundation with strong support from Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates and Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc., concluded with an exciting finale on March 15 and 16, 2025, at the Dynamic Herb-Borromeo Sports Complex in Cebu. This season, AFC celebrated not just football excellence but also its commitment to sustainability.

The AFC Champions League brought together top teams from across the country, and in the end, Cebu’s Don Bosco teams dominated the tournament. Don Bosco - Liloan Cebu emerged as the Champion in the Players 16 Boys category, while Cebu’s Don Bosco Technical College took home the Champion title in the Players 18 Boys division.

Joining them on the podium were Davao Hyenas FC (1st Runner-up) and Batangas Blitzkrieg Football Foundation (2nd Runner-up) in the Players 16 category. In the Players 18 division, Batangas Stingrays FC secured 1st Runner-up, while Davao Rovers FC finished as 2nd Runner-up.

Several standout athletes were recognized with special awards. In the Players 16 division, Xchyler Pantinople was named MVP, while Mark Justine Silmaro earned Best Goalkeeper honors. Zaeous Mikael Cortez was recognized as Best Defender, Nathaniel Alexis Tan as Best Midfielder, and Antonio Benito Canton as Best Striker.

For the Players 18 division, Allister Louis Manlosa took home the MVP award. Eugene Christian A. Molleno was named Best Goalkeeper, while John Lexter Conde won Best Defender. Godwin Velasquez and Cyrus Primar Ventura were awarded Best Midfielder and Best Striker, respectively.

AFC’s Commitment to Sustainability

Beyond the competition, AFC Season 24 strengthened its Wasteless Campaign, a sustainability initiative in partnership with Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines’ (CCEAP) Tapon to Ipon: Basta Klaro, Panalo! program. Athletes, coaches, and spectators actively participated in the collection and recycling of clear PET bottles, ensuring that the materials reached PETValue Philippines, a cutting-edge recycling facility run by Coca-Cola and Indorama Ventures.

“The Aboitiz Football Cup is more than just a tournament—it’s an avenue to instill positive values in young athletes while championing meaningful advocacies,” said Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, Aboitiz Foundation President. “We’re proud to collaborate with CCEAP to expand the reach of our Wasteless Campaign, proving that sports and sustainability can go hand in hand.”

Throughout the season, AFC24 successfully collected and properly sorted over 1,000 kg of post-consumer clear PET bottles, equivalent to approximately 53,000 bottles. This initiative not only reduced environmental waste but also emphasized the importance of sustainable habits in everyday life.

Among the sustainability champions, three teams stood out for their dedication to collecting clear PET bottles for recycling. USC Alumni FC led the effort with 216.95 kgs, followed by SportsGen Int’l. Academy with 137.3 kgs, and Rongcales Futbolitos FC with 111 kgs. These teams demonstrated outstanding commitment to environmental responsibility, further strengthening AFC’s sustainability advocacy.

“Our partnership with the Aboitiz Foundation for the Aboitiz Football Cup highlights how even small efforts can make a big impact,” said Atty. Juan Lorenzo Tañada, CCEAP VP for Corporate & Regulatory Affairs. “This is a milestone for our Tapon to Ipon program, and we look forward to growing our partnership as we work towards a circular economy.”

AFC also partnered with host barangays and junk shops to ensure the collected bottles were properly processed, further reinforcing its commitment to responsible waste management.

With the resounding success of this season, the Aboitiz Football Cup remains committed to sustainability in future editions. Strengthening its partnership with CCEAP and engaging the football community, AFC aims to inspire athletes and fans to take an active role in building a greener, more sustainable future—on and off the field.

This initiative is made possible through the support of the Aboitiz Foundation’s partners, including Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates, Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc., Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines, and the Central Visayas Football Association, with additional backing from AboitizPower’s Thermal Group and AdventEnergy.