With a two-time winning streak, adobo Football Cup (AFC) defending champion Publicis One United proved that keeping a title demands just as much grit as winning it for the first time. Under cloudy skies and in front of colleagues-turned-supporters, last year’s winning team once again stood tallest after blanking Dentsu Creative FC, 2-0, in a composed championship performance that sealed back-to-back titles.
Held on July 11 at the Atleta63 Football Field in Bridgetowne, Pasig City, this year’s tournament once again brought together agencies from across the Philippine advertising, marketing, media, and creative industries for another full day of competition, camaraderie, and healthy rivalry.
Across multiple divisions, every fixture was played with intensity, but all roads eventually led to a familiar finale where Publicis fought to keep the trophy they captured a year ago, against the same rival, Dentsu.
From the opening whistle, the championship match settled into a tactical contest. Dentsu looked eager to disrupt the defending champions’ rhythm with high pressing and quick transitions, but Publicis remained patient in possession, circulating the ball until openings began to appear.
Dentsu pushed numbers forward in search of an equalizer, creating several promising attacking sequences. Publicis, however, refused to bend. Their back line absorbed the pressure, winning crucial tackles and clearing dangerous balls before launching quick counterattacks that kept their opponents on alert.
The goal eventually arrived, putting the contest beyond reach. Publicis expertly managed the closing minutes, frustrating every Dentsu attempt to claw its way back into the match before the final whistle confirmed a convincing 2-0 victory.
Dentsu then finished as deserving runners-up after an impressive campaign throughout the tournament. Ace United completed the podium with a third-place finish in the adobo Cup Division.
Competition remained just as fierce across the tournament’s other brackets. Indigos United FC emerged as champions of the Platito Division, followed by Hakuhodo FC in second and Yellow Submariners in third. Ogilvy United FC claimed the Pandikdik Division title, with FART Football Association (FAFA) finishing second and BBDO United placing third.
adobo Football Cup 2026 Division Winners
Champion: Publicis One United
2nd Place: Dentsu Creative FC
3rd Place: Ace United
Platito Division Champion: Indigos United FC
Pandikdik Division Champion: Ogilvy United FC
Special Team Awards
Best Poster Design: BBDO United
Best Jersey Design: Yellow Submariners
Dave Ferrer Award for Best in Team Spirit: Indigos United FC
Special Player Awards
Golden Boot (Top Scorer): Vince Banta, Publicis One United
Golden Glove (Best Goalkeeper): Sofia Jayme, Indigos United FC
Golden Armband (Best Midfielder): Kazuki Kyoya, Hakuhodo FC
Golden Cape (Best Defender): Joey Barreiro, Yellow Submariners
Golden Ball Award (Most Valuable Male Player ): Francisco Santos, Indigos United FC
Cathy Nazareno Rose Ball Award (Most Valuable Female Player): Regie Ucang, Ace United
Meanwhile, the pitch saw 13 spirited squads:
- Forza Havas Invictus (Havas Ortega Group Philippines)
- Publicis One United (Publicis Groupe Philippines)
- Yellow Submariners (Octopus&Whale x Lennon Group)
- Dentsu Creative FC (Dentsu Creative Philippines)
- TREYNA Boleros (Treyna Group)
- Indigos United FC (Propel Manila)
- BBDO United (BBDO Guerrero)
- Ace United (Ace Saatchi&Saatchi)
- YCP GTG (YCP Interactive)
- Ogilvy United FC (Ogilvy Philippines)
- WPP Media United FC (WPP Media)
- Hakuhodo FC (IdeasXMachina (IXM))
- FART Football Association (FAFA) (FART: Visibles and Final Art Production)
Beyond the competition, the 15th edition of AFC also underscored the tournament’s long-standing commitment to giving back through sport.
This year’s beneficiary is Lobos Youth Club, a community-based organization dedicated to developing young athletes through football, discipline, and positive values. Established to provide opportunities for children and teenagers to participate in structured football training, the club fosters teamwork, leadership, and personal growth while helping young individuals pursue their aspirations despite social and economic challenges.
“Lubos po kaming nagpapasalamat sa pagkakataong ito dahil naging daan ito upang matulungan kami sa aming mga layunin at programa para sa mga kabataan. Ang Lobos Youth Club ay nabuo na may iisang layunin—ang gabayan ang mga kabataan. Nais naming mailayo sila sa masasamang bisyo at maling impluwensya sa pamamagitan ng sports, partikular ng football, habang hinihikayat din silang pagbutihin ang kanilang pag-aaral para sa kanilang kinabukasan,” Lobos Youth Club President and Head Coach Manuel Leno Gonje shared. (We are deeply grateful for this opportunity, as it has become a pathway in helping us achieve our goals and carry out our programs for the youth. The Lobos Youth Club was founded with one clear mission—to guide young people. We aim to steer them away from harmful vices and negative influences through sports, particularly football, while also encouraging them to excel in their studies so they can build a brighter future.)
He added, “Sa pamamagitan ng sports, nais naming maitanim sa kanila ang disiplina, respeto sa kapwa, malasakit sa komunidad, at ang pagiging responsableng mamamayan.” (Through sports, we hope to instill in them the values of discipline, respect for others, compassion for the community, and the importance of becoming responsible citizens.)
The milestone edition also paid tribute to one of the tournament’s most enduring figures. Celebrating 15 years of AFC, organizers recognized Mike Garcia of Ogilvy United FC, who has participated in every edition since the tournament’s inception. His remarkable streak makes him the longest-participating player in AFC history, a testament to the tournament’s lasting legacy and the strong community it has built over a decade and a half.
“Thank you for the recognition. I mean, 15 years of great games, right? You’ve heard the story already—it started out as Sunday football that just kept getting bigger,” he noted during the opening program, adding that the AFC is “more than just a football game but became something that was good for everybody.”
Ultimately, AFC once again demonstrated that the industry’s competitive spirit extends well beyond boardrooms and creative presentations. On the pitch, strategy replaces storyboards, teamwork outweighs individual brilliance, and every pass, tackle, and goal reflects the same collaboration that powers the country’s creative community.
The 2026 adobo Football Cup would not be possible without the help of partners and sponsors.
- Special Partners: Solbac, KWiK, Dr. Coco
- Community Partner: Rexona
- Supporting Partner: YCP Interactive Solutions
- Coffee Partners: Great Taste Iced Coffee, Nescafé Mocha
- Official Food Partner: PureFoods Deli
- Hydration Partners: Nature Spring, Gatorade, Locally, Royal Tru, Coke Zero, Coke Regular, Sprite Zero, Wilkins Pure
- Snacking Partner: Kangkong King, McCormick
- Swag Kit Partners: Berocca, Maxx, XO, Nissin Ramen, Quaker Oats, Starbalm, Naked, Pastel, Snake Brand
- Official Outfitter: Chronos
- Official Rewards Partners: SweepWell Co., Adidas
- Official Music Producer: HIT PRODUCTIONS
- Beer Partners: San Mig Light, San Mig Free
- Spirits Partner: GSM Premium Gin
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