WHAT is the Aboitiz Cup legacy? During the launching for the 2025 season on Sept. 19, 2025, one of those often mentioned was how many kids have found a path to the national team, thanks to the Aboitiz Cup.
That is true, of course. But I don’t think that’s it.
Cebu football changed because of the Aboitiz Cup but it’s an intertwined relationship. Cebu football also changed the Aboitiz Cup. Without such a vibrant community, I don’t think the Aboitiz Cup would reach such a stage that it would begin to expand outside of Cebu.
So what is the Aboitiz Cup legacy? Aside from discovering gifted players, it made football a way of life for Cebuanos. Referees earn decent pay because of the tournament, coaches get gainful employment because of the tournament.
And, for me, the biggest one, countless kids completed their college degrees thanks to football scholarships; kids who were discovered by collegiate coaches thanks to the Aboitiz Cup.
The Aboitiz Foundation is trying to replicate the Aboitiz Cup experience in Luzon and Mindanao but I think it’s not enough to bring the tournament to new locations, it has to bring the Aboitiz Cup experience to make it successful.
The Aboitiz Cup is not just a tournament in Cebu; it is THE tournament. And get this, the football calendar in Cebu is synched around the Aboitiz Cup, to make sure there is no conflict.
And when there are fixed major school-based events, the Cebu RFA works around that, making sure there are no 18-Under games when the Cesafi or Cebu City Olympics.
I tell you it wasn’t always that way and I’m pointing out that now because cooperation within the community helped us reach this stage.
And that’s the legacy of the Aboitiz Cup–it changed the Cebu football community for the better.