PH U16 boys provide glimpse of men’s football future

It is a tournament that rarely draws headlines here. It might have been ignored, in fact, except that the Philippines won the title after strong performances against three Southeast Asian nations.

But what the win lacked in highlight, it made up for in significance.

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“This is only the beginning,” center back Alphan Lomibao, the captain of the country’s U16 national boys’ team that ruled the 2025 Lion City Cup recently, told the Inquirer.

“Philippine youth football is on the rise.”

Whether on the big stage or at the grassroots level, Philippine football conversation has been dominated by the female side, with the national women’s team making it to the last Women’s World Cup—and winning a game there—and Makati Football Club’s Girls 12 team winning its division in the Gothia Cup, which is generally known as the Youth World Cup.

The U16 boys’ team recent win pushes the male side of football back into the discussion.

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“I believe that both the Men’s and Women’s programs deserve the full support of the federation and the country,” Lomibao said. “Our victory may not be as meaningful in the eyes of others, but it serves as a statement and reminder that Philippine [football in the] grassroots is improving.”

And that title could very well pave the path for more success for the senior men’s team, which is hungry for validation in the international scene.

“As a team composed of all homegrown players, we put on display that local players can compete in the Southeast Asian and Asian scene,” Lomibao said. “This will surely catch the attention of the men’s team, potentially allowing more youth players to funnel into the seniors squad.”

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Miguel Gutierrez, National Capital Region Football Association president and team manager of the U16 squad, said the win also sends a message about the shifting landscape at the youth level.

“The U16 win changes that narrative,” he said. “It is showing that something different is now happening at the grassroots and youth level. The football community is now understanding what it takes to be part of the best.”

The Philippines seized the title with a commanding 3-1 win over Cambodia at Jalan Besar Stadium. The squad had earlier blanked hosts Singapore, 2-0, and drew with Hong Kong, 1-1. Their fate rested on the final match between Singapore and Hong Kong, where a 4-1 win by the hosts sealed the title for the Filipinos.

“This championship has put the country at notice,” Lomibao said. “It shows that all levels of the men’s program are slowly but surely improving. Better results could mean more support and money going into the development of Philippine men’s football.”

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“It is a testament that our homegrown players have what it takes, provided they are given the right environment, to succeed,” Gutierrez added.

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