Iloilo-Guimaras Regional Football Association (IGRFA) delivered a performance of breathtaking quality in the first semifinal of the inaugural 2026 PFF U16 National Boys’Championship, dismantling Olongapo City-Zambales FA (OCZFA), 10-0, at the Manuel Y. Torres Sports Center in Bago City on Tuesday morning to advance to the national final.
IGRFA was relentless from the opening whistle, with the combination of Nathan Caligdong, Stello Siloterio and captain Jaylord Dajay proving simply too much for an OCZFA side that had already made history for their region just by reaching the Final Four.
Caligdong opened the scoring in the 16th minute, finishing a midfield cross from Benedict Simon Sumagaysay with his left foot before Siloterio tapped in from the six-yard box in the 20th, fed by a Dajay cutback.
Sumagaysay’s second midfield delivery released Caligdong again in the 43rd for his brace, and the goals kept coming – Siloterio added a fourth from a Caligdong half-volley pass in first-half stoppage time before Caligdong completed his hat-trick from a Dajay midfield lob in the fourth minute of added time to send IGRFA into the break five goals to the good.
The second half was no less commanding. Dajay turned scorer himself in the 55th minute, driving through on an attacking run to finish inside the six-yard box, before Caligdong struck again three minutes later from a Dajay through ball to make it seven.
Joy Jamotillo Jr. got in on the act in the 63rd minute, tapping in from close range off a Dajay short pass in the final third.
Cyrus Prix Guevarra added a ninth with a composed solo counter-attack from the right in the 88th minute, and Jamotillo sealed the rout in stoppage time, converting the rebound after OCZFA goalkeeper Zeijan Garcia had saved Gab Belluga’s initial effort.
Named Player of the Match, Caligdong, nephew of Philippine football icon Chieffy Caligdong, spoke with quiet pride after his four-goal performance.
“Sinunod ko lang po ang mga sinabi ng coach ko, si Coach Joanna at lahat ng coaching staff. Disiplina lang po sa pagtulog at tsaka dedication lang sa laro,” he said.
The 14-year-old is already making the Caligdong name mean something new for a fresh generation of Philippine football.
“Napakasaya po kasi parang ako yung dumadala ng legasiya nya ngayon,” Caligdong said, alluding to Barotac Nuevo pride Chieffy, who scored 16 international goals for the Philippine men’s national football team from 2004-2013.
IGRFA head coach Joanna Marie Sabid reflected on the result with both pride and perspective, framing the championship as something larger than one team’s achievement.
“We also practiced yung play namin in preparation for the championship,” she said. “It’s a good start especially nag-umpisa na si U16 – this is also a chance and opportunity for different provinces, not only just Iloilo, but also different provinces in the Philippines to prepare and look forward for such competitions.”
IGRFA now awaits the winner of the second semifinal between Group B winners Negros Occidental RFA (NORFA) and Group A runners-up National Capital Region FA (NCRFA), with a place in the inaugural championship final at stake.