The elimination round of the PFF Futsaliga U17 competition, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, came to a dramatic close at the Philsports Arena, as eight matches across the U17 Girls’ and Boys’ Divisions finalized the Cup semifinal lineups.
Beach Hut (Girls) and Star (Boys) headlined their respective divisions, finishing the elimination round in dominant fashion, while hard-fought battles further down the standings shaped the rest of the bracket.
The final match day of the U17 Girls Division elimination round opened with a tightly contested affair between Silangan Cainta and Nemesis Gaia — two sides already assured of Cup semifinal berths, but still highly competitive.
Silangan edged out a 1-0 victory via an own goal from Nemesis, in a match that highlighted the fighting spirit of both teams. Despite the defeat, Nemesis Gaia goalkeeper Airish Bustillos delivered a standout performance between the posts, earning Bootcamp Player of the Match honors for her exceptional shot-stopping display.
Beach Hut closed their elimination campaign with a 4-1 victory over Star, securing the top spot in the Girls Division table.
The result reaffirmed a principle that Beach Hut head coach Joyce Landagan has instilled in her side throughout the tournament.
“This tournament has proven that we must not treat our opponents lightly,” she said, a mindset that has kept Beach Hut sharp and focused even when results were already within reach. Baasha Rowan Aurelio embodied that mentality, scoring twice and earning the Bootcamp Player of the Match award.
(C) PFF
The U17 Boys Division also delivered its share of drama on the final match day, with Star sealing a flawless 7-0 elimination round record in thrilling fashion. Trailing against a resilient Antipolo City side, Star scored two late goals to escape with a 4-2 victory and complete the sweep.
For Star assistant coach John Israel Fugado, the effort his side showed even in a match with nothing left to prove spoke volumes.
“To give our best against Antipolo, even if wala nang bearing ang laban namin, means na we respect them. By playing our best, we show our respect to the opponents and to the game,” he said.
Jayden Cruz embodied that spirit perfectly, capping the comeback with an insurance goal in the closing seconds while also standing out for his vision and ball distribution throughout.
Nemesis punched their ticket to the Cup semifinals with an emphatic 8-1 thrashing of Sporting QC. The star of the match was Michael Canaman, who continued his prolific campaign with four goals — further solidifying his status as one of the most feared finishers in the Boys Division.
Paul Stiga Academy showcased the grit that has defined their season, edging Manila Futsal Team, 2-1, to secure second place. Prince Yana set the tone early for PSA and was rewarded with Bootcamp Player of the Match honors. It was another hard-earned victory for a team that has consistently found ways to win.
PasigLaban delivered the loudest statement in the Girls Division, dismantling Antipolo City, 10-0, to jump to second place and secure a Cup semifinal berth. Jazz Sosa, returning after missing Match Day 6, immediately made an impact with a brace, providing the spark PasigLaban needed to finish the elimination round strong. Antipolo, meanwhile, will compete in the Plate race.
In the day’s final Girls Division match, Sporting QC rallied past EMA Bulacan Highlanders, 4-2, with Ela Torcatos and Ariela Abeto each scoring twice. Torcatos, whose pressing and clinical finishing drew widespread praise, was named Bootcamp Player of the Match. The result lifted Sporting QC to fifth place — a remarkable climb from the bottom of the table.
The two sides will meet again on May 9 in the Plate semifinals. At the end of the elimination round, Beach Hut, PasigLaban, and Silangan Cainta finished level on 18 points each. Beach Hut claimed the top seed on the strength of a commanding +36 goal difference, ahead of PasigLaban (+23) and Silangan (+21).
Nemesis Gaia settled for fourth place with 12 points. The Cup semifinal pairings are now set: Beach Hut vs. Nemesis Gaia, and PasigLaban vs. Silangan Cainta.
In the Boys Division, EMA Bulacan Highlanders produced one of the most explosive individual performances of Match Day 7, routing PasigLaban, 5-3, to secure their Cup semifinal spot in style.
League top scorer Charlson Vidal led the charge, scoring all five goals to cap a remarkable elimination round campaign for the Highlanders.
Star topped the Boys Division standings with a perfect 7-0 record and will face Nemesis in one Cup semifinal. PSA, who grinded their way to 18 points for second place, will battle the red-hot EMA Bulacan Highlanders (15 points) in the other.
The Cup and Plate semifinals for both U17 divisions are scheduled for May 9, as the PFF Futsaliga U17 competition, presented by the PSC, enters its most decisive stage.
