A UAAP champion in both high school and collegiate divisions with FEU, as well as earning five caps for the Philippine under-23 team, Selwyn Mamon hopes to channel all that experience into tangible results in the 33rd SEA Games.
For Far Eastern University striker Selwyn Mamon, the upcoming Southeast Asian Games isn’t just another tournament—it’s a stage to prove that the Philippines can finally break through in the under-23 regional competition.
The SEA Games have long been a challenging arena for Philippine football, demanding intensity and physical output far beyond collegiate leagues.
Despite the country’s persistent efforts, a podium finish has remained elusive.
Hopes though are high that the tide might finally turn.
At 21, the Iloilo City native brings a wealth of experience to the national team.
A UAAP champion in both high school and collegiate divisions with FEU, Mamon has also earned five international caps for the Philippines under-23 team. He’s ready to channel all that experience into tangible results on the pitch.
“Each day ng training namin nag-i-improve po talaga yung team chemistry even though hindi pa po complete talaga yung team,” said the FEU standout who has seven goals so far in the Tamaraws’ UAAP Season 88 campaign.
“Nandun na po yung team connection and communication.”
Mamon knows that success at the SEA Games depends on how quickly players from various local and foreign teams can gel.
But he also sees every experience—good or bad—as a building block for the future.
“Every experience po, may it be international or local, napakalaking advantage po yun na talagang magagamit sa future games. Sa mga small wins doon po na-bi-build confidence ko maglaro,” said Mamon.
The Philippine U-23 team is aiming for gold in the SEA Games, building on a strong showing earlier this year when they reached the semifinals of the ASEAN U-23 Mandiri Cup 2025, finishing fourth.
Joining the U-23 squad are Isaiah Alakiu, Otu Banatao, Cesar Castro, Alfonso Gonzalez, Nicholas and Gabriel Guimaraes, Noah Leddel, Dov Cariño, Javier Mariona, Alex Monis, Gavin Muens, Antoine Ortega, Jared Peña, Sandro Reyes, Jaime Rosquillo, Dylan Demuynck, Santiago Rublico, Andres Aldegeuer, Martin Meriño, Stavros Charalampous, and Nico McMillan.
[ALSO READ: SEA Games: Dov Cariño on a mission to convert Philippine football near-misses to medal]
Mamon's focus is clear: turn potential into results.
“Goal is to win po talaga. Hindi naman po impossible yun. One game at a time lang,” he said.
“I’ll do my best to contribute goals para sa team. Lahat ng experience and skills na I acquired, I’ll show them every game.”
The U-23 Men's Football Team will see first action on Friday, December 5, 7 p.m. against Myanmar. It will be livestreamed on the One Sports YouTube page and Pilipinas Live.
[ALSO READ: SCHEDULE | Team Philippines competes at 33rd SEA Games in Thailand]