The 2013 PFF National Men's Club Championship (also known as 2013 PFF–Smart National Club Championship) was the 3rd season of the PFF National Men's Club Championship, a Filipino association football competition organized by the Philippine Football Federation.
Ceres were the defending champions after beating PSG 1-0 on February 2, 2013. This is the first time the Negros Occidental-based club won the championship.
On 21 December 2013, Ceres retained the title after beating Global, 3-1 on aggregate in a two-leg finals. The cup winners, Ceres is guaranteed a place in the 2015 AFC Cup Play-off.
Competition format
This competition increased its participating teams from 33 in the previous year to 46 teams, breaking Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao clusters into regional sub-clusters. The tournament format was single round-robin in group stage with top teams advancing to the next round. In this edition of the tournament, each team was allowed up to five foreign players in their rosters with up to three playing at a given time.
Regional qualifiers
The regional cluster eliminations for the tournament started last October 2, 2013 with ten teams advancing to the second round of eliminations. From there, the top two teams contested the title in two legs to be played in a home-and-away format.
Luzon Cluster
North-central Luzon cluster was held from October 2 to 6, 2013 at Tarlac Sports Complex. BSU FC represented Baguio-Benguet Football Association. Representative (or selection) from Tarlac Football Association Representative from Pangasinan Football Association (or selection) was originally included, but later withdrew participation. Representative from Isabela Football Association (or selection) was originally included, but later withdrew participation. Representative from Ilocos Football Association (or selection) was originally included, but later withdrew participation.
South-central Luzon cluster was held from October 4 to 6, 2013 at General Trias Football Field, Cavite City/De La Salle University, Dasmariñas, Cavite. Flame United FC represented Cavite Football Association. San Beda-Mendiola FC represented Rizal Football Association Representative (or selection) from National Capital Region Football Association. Later on, NCR FA withdrew participation. Representative (or selection) from Olangapo-Zambales Football Association. Later on, Olongapo-Zambales FA withdrew participation.
South west Luzon cluster was held from October 16 to 20, 2013 at Sta. Cruz Sports Complex, Laguna. Air 21 FC represented Laguna Football Association Adriatico FC represented Oriental Mindoro Football Association Philippine Air Force-Phoenix FC represented Batangas Football Association. Batangas Football Association was later disqualified. Palawan FC represented Palawan Football Association Representative (or selection) from Quezon Football Association
South Luzon cluster was held from October 23 to 25, 2013 at Naga city. CBSUA FC represented Naga City-Camarines Sur Football Association. Representative (or selection) from Legaspi City-Albay Football Association Representative (or selection) from Sorsogon Football Association Representative (or selection) from Football Association of Masbate. Masbate later on withdrew from the tournament. Representative (or selection) from Camarines Norte Football Association
Visayas Cluster
Group stage for Visayas clusters was held in Bacolod and Cebu from November 8 to 17, 2013. Visayas cluster was grouped into two: West Visayas Cluster was held from October 2 to 6, 2013 at Panaad Sports Complex, Bacolod. Camella-Barotac Nuevo FC represented Iloilo Football Association Ceres-La Salle FC represented Negros Occidental Football Association FC Azukals represented Negros Oriental Football Association among the regional qualifiers which were held in October 2013. The Azukals came on top of nine other clubs in the 4th Silliman Football Club tournament held in Dumaguete. FC Azukals defeated Foundation University FC, 5-3 in the finals held on June 12, 2013 at Filomeno Cimafranca Ballfield, Silliman University. Representative (or selection) from Capiz Football Association. Later, Capiz FA withdrew participation.