PFF, Smart gear up for 2013 national finals

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Football Federation and official partner, wireless services provider Smart Communications, Inc. are inching closer to the PFF-Smart National Club Championship finals set in February at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

Organizers of the country’s biggest tournament for PFF-member football associations presented the 16 football clubs that qualified for the next stage. PFF and Smart partnered with football clubs in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in holding elimination games which started in October to determine the teams that would advance to the Round of 16 Knock-Out Stage.

For Luzon, the qualified teams are Flames United FC (Cavite Football Association) and Baguio United FC (Baguio City Benguet Football Association).

The Visayas elimination rounds were won by Ceres FC (Negros Occidental football Association Football Asssociation) and Cebu Queen City United FC (Cebu Football Association).

Mindanao will be represented by Romgarjal FC (Zamboanga Del Norte – Dipolog Football Association) and M’lang FC (North Cotabato Football Association).

The National Capital Region will be fielding 10 football clubs namely Global FC, Green Archers United FC, Loyola FC, Stallion FC, General Trias International FC, Kaya FC, Pachanga FC, Philippine Army FC, Nomads FC, and Pasargad FC.

“Football fans have a lot to look forward to this year,” said Orlando B. Vea, Smart’s chief wireless advisor. “Most of the members of the Azkals – the national football team – are also playing for the participating teams just like Phil and James Younghusband who are part of the Loyola FC.”