The Montet Challenge Series is a premier, semi-annual, invitation-only football showcase established in 2025. Modeled after the legendary spirit of the Coupe de France, the tournament features a high-stakes competitive format that forces top-tier university champions and semi-professional giants to defend their status against the country’s most hungry, dangerous independent clubs.
Adding to the intense drama, the series features a unique rule: Manila Montet SC must be defeated twice for another team to secure the title. Every match is overseen by neutral referees and integrity officials, delivering the ultimate showcase of sporting merit, elite passion, and the undeniable ‘Magic of the Cup.’
Overview
Inaugurated in early 2025, the Series serves as Manila Montet SC’s premier independent fixture circuit, deliberately constructed to feature high-intensity, high-caliber matchups. The competition features a curated selection of elite UAAP varsity squads, top-flight independent pro-am organizations, and select professional sides Each edition of the series functions as a challenge format in which teams face Manila Montet SC 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 SC twice within the edition, Manila Montet SC is declared the Series Champion.
Teams accumulate rankings within the edition based on match results, goal metrics, and performance against Manila Montet SC. Challenger teams are also ranked independently to determine the “Top Ranked Opponent” of each edition.
History
Series Champions
| Edition | Year | Series Champion |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2025 | Manila Montet SC |
| 2nd | 2025 | Adamson university |
| 3rd | 2026 | Manila Montet SC |
External sources: https://www.adamson.edu.ph/v1/?page=view-news&newsid=3845
2026 – Third Edition
The third edition of the Montet Challenge Series was held in early 2026, featuring seven participating teams. Manila Montet SC finished as champion. Adamson University emerged as the top-ranked team of the edition.
| Rank | Team | Played | Points | Goals For | Goals Against | Goals Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OMNI SS FC | 1 | 1 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 2 | Adamson University | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 3 | Jets FC | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | -0 |
| 4 | Marinos FC | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | –4 |
| 5 | Visca FC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | –4 |
| 6 | Secret FC | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | –6 |
| 7 | Limanstyle FC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 10 | –9 |
Final Result
The third Edition concluded with Manila Montet SC 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 SC 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.
2025 – First Edition
The inaugural edition took place in early 2025 and featured ten challenger teams. Manila Montet SC completed the series undefeated and was awarded the title of Series Champion.
| 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 | Philippines Coast Guard | 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 SC declared Series Champion after completing the tournament undefeated.