PFF-Suzuki U23 National Cup Elimination Qualifiers Gear Up for 2013 Finale

As the dust settles at the PFF Suzuki U23 National Cup cluster finals this summer, three (3) teams from Luzon and Visayas respectively and four (4) from Mindanao remain standing.

The 10 top teams from an initial count of 33 teams, are all vying for the prestigious PFF Suzuki U23 National Cup, which is the local adaptation of the AFF Suzuki Cup— One of the most celebrated football competition organized by the ASEAN Football Federation for the football competing national teams in the South East Asian Region.

Luzon elimination qualifiers include football associations from Masbate, Laguna and Baguio - Benguet, Visayas regional qualifiers include football associations from Negros Occidental, Iloilo and Cebu, and Mindanao elimination qualifiers include football associations from North Cotabato, Iligan-Lanao del Norte, Davao and Zamboanga del Norte—Dipolog.   Eliminations were held last February to May 2012, and will resume same time, next year for the semi finals and finals round.

The PFF Suzuki U23 National Cup has been the breeding ground of local players who had moved on to join international competitions as part of the National football team.  2011’s PFF Suzuki U23 National Cup notable standouts were Joshua Beloya, Neckson Leonora, and Gerardo Valmayor III, who represented the country in the SEA Games held in Indonesia last year. While this year’s qualifying rounds served as the scouting venue for PFF to source and recruit majority of the current training pool that will represent the Philippines in the 2013 SEA Games.  “They, together with their teams, are living testimonies why SPH continue to pledge for the sports’ development in the country.” said Satoshi Uchida, president, Suzuki Philippines.  .

The PFF Suzuki U23 National cup is sponsored by Suzuki Philippines, a Japanese multinational company highly recognized in the vehicle manufacturing and distribution of value-packed motorcycles and compact vehicles.