The Montet Challenge Series is a semi-annual football competition held in the Philippines and organized by Manila Montet FC. Established in 2025, the tournament features university, semi-professional, and independent clubs competing in a challenge-based format. The event is notable for its unique rule in which Manila Montet FC must be defeated twice for another team to win the series. Matches are overseen by neutral referees and integrity officials to ensure fairness.
Overview
The competition was introduced in early 2025 with the goal of providing Manila Montet FC with regular high-level opposition from a diverse range of football teams. Participants include university teams, independent clubs, semi-professional organizations, and occasional professional sides. Each edition of the series functions as a challenge format in which teams face Manila Montet FC either in standalone fixtures or in sequence throughout the series.
Matches are governed by integrity measures intended to ensure transparency and sportsmanship. These include independent officials, standardized match regulations, and neutral match observers.
Format
The Montet Challenge Series employs a distinctive competition rule:
If no team defeats Manila Montet FC twice within the edition, Manila Montet FC is declared the Series Champion.
Teams accumulate rankings within the edition based on match results, goal metrics, and performance against Manila Montet FC. Challenger teams are also ranked independently to determine the “Top Ranked Opponent” of each edition.
History
2025 – First Edition
The inaugural edition took place in early 2025 and featured ten challenger teams. Manila Montet FC completed the series undefeated and was awarded the title of Series Champion.
Final Standings:
| Rank | Team | Played | Points | Goals For | Goals Against | Goals Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tondo FC | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2 | University of Santo Tomas | 1 | 0 | 4 | 5 | -1 |
| 3 | Acacia FC | 1 | 0 | 5 | 7 | -2 |
| 4 | Marinos FC | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | -2 |
| 5 | PH Coastguard FC | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | -2 |
| 6 | Gaudutu Axis FC | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | -3 |
| 7 | Visca FC | 1 | 0 | 3 | 12 | -9 |
| 8 | Kampilan FC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 10 | -9 |
| 9 | Vietnam FLY FC | 1 | 0 | 0 | 17 | -17 |
| 10 | Fairview Amigos FC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 20 | -19 |
Final Result
The First Edition concluded with Manila Montet FC declared Series Champion after completing the tournament undefeated.
2025 – Second Edition
The second edition of the Montet Challenge Series was held later in 2025, featuring seven participating teams. In contrast to the first edition, Manila Montet FC did not finish as champion. Adamson University emerged as the top-ranked team of the edition.
| Rank | Team | Played | Points | Goals For | Goals Against | Goals Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adamson University | 1 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| 2 | SAS FC | 1 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| 3 | Ilustrados United | 1 | 0 | 5 | 9 | -4 |
| 4 | Visca FC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | -4 |
| 5 | Philippines Coast Guard | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | -5 |
| 6 | Marinos FC | 1 | 0 | 4 | 10 | -6 |
| 7 | Gaudutu Axis FC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | -6 |
Final Result
Adamson University defeated SAS FC 4–2 in the decisive match of the edition, finishing as the top-ranked challenger team.
Series Champions
| Edition | Year | Series Champion |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2025 | Manila Montet FC |
| 2nd | 2025 | Adamson university |