32 squads clash in Smart U-22

MANILA, Philippines - Talents from the provinces take center stage as the Philippine Football Federation-Smart Under-22 Amateur Championship kicks off its group stages beginning next month in various venues all over the country.

A total of 32 teams from the different regional football associations are participating in the tourney where the PFF hopes to discover candidates to the Phl U-23 side to the 2017 Southeast Asian Games.

The event, which will culminate in the knockout quarterfinals, semifinals and finals in January 2016 at the Panaad Sports Complex in Bacolod City, will give the floor to U-22 players who haven’t seen action yet in the first and second divisions of the United Football League.

“We won’t include any player from the UFL first and second divisions to give more chance to provincial players to show their talents and compete in an organized tournament,” said PFF competitions committee head Cyril Dofitas during yesterday’s press launch with PFF general secretary Edwin Gastanes and Smart Sports senior manager Epok Quimpo.

“Smart has always been a supporter of Philippine football, especially in the grassroots and competitive levels,” said Quimpo, adding the tourney goes in line with Smart’s campaign inviting everyone to the “Smart Life.” “We want participants not only to maximize their talents but also share it with their loved ones through their cellphones, postings on Instagram, Facebook and also inspire players younger than them.”

The teams are scattered in eight groups and will play single-round robin with the winners advancing to the Last-8.