Philippine Football League

[rhk111]

Nice update, ultimate_baller24, I wasn't sure what city Kaya will represent. Global will be in Cebu, Loyola will be in Taguig while Ceres will be in Negros.

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There are now eight teams in the PFL, a good number, more than the minimum of six that was required.

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Ceres Negros, 7 Other FCs Join PFL

Tuesday, January 10, 2017 By HENRY G. DOBLE

NEGROS Occidental’s Ceres Negros FC and seven other professional football clubs have officially signed up with the country’s first national premier league, the Philippines Football League (PFL), set to kick off in March or early April.

After the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) introduced PFL last year, the teams that have confirmed their participation are last year’s United Football League (UFL) double champions Global FC, UFL runner-up Ceres Negros FC, Stallion FC, Loyola Meralco Sparks FC, Kaya FC, Green Archers United FC, and JP Voltes FC.

While Ceres FC will be representing Negros Occidental, its arch rival Global FC will have Cebu as its home field, and Loyola Meralco will be hosted by Taguig City. Other clubs have yet to announce their respective home pitches.

(Article intentionally cut, to read more go to: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/sp...oin-pfl-519281)

[ultimate_baller24]

9 teams in PFL ?

"PFF secretary general Atty. Ed Gastanes reveals at least nine teams have signified their intentions to join the Philippines Football League this coming March. "The nine include the Davao Aguilas FC and a club from Vigan, Ilocos Sur," he says. Gastanes adds the PFF will evaluate all the applicants and will come up with the official list by mid-February. "

Tv5 reporter Erel Cabatbat posted this on his IG a couple of days ago. JP Voltes still looking a home Stadium to plat in, They might choose Marikina. Stallion-Laguna FC will be based in Binan,Laguna. they also have a new logo. Vigan might Field a team but transportation might be a problem for visiting team.

Emperador stadium in Mckinley hill needs to add more seating capacity and the pitch needs to be widen according to the FIFA standard size a Pitch to be used in domestic league. Umak Pitch also needs to improved their pitch from natural grass to artificial grass.

[rhk111]

Football: So, How's That National League Coming Along?

The upcoming Philippines Football League is getting closer to becoming a reality

Bob Guerrero
Published 2:17 PM, January 12, 2017
Updated 5:51 PM, January 12, 2017

MANILA, Philippines – “90%.”

That was the text message reply of Philippine Football Federation president Nonong Araneta when asked about the percentage chance that the Philippines Football League will push through this year.

In an age of uncertainty for the sport, this is welcome news. Here is a breakdown on where we are at.

Teams

A total of 9 teams have submitted their applications for club licensing for the league with the PFF. Seven former UFL teams have applied, namely champs Global, (now reportedly renamed Global Queen City), Ceres-Negros, (née Ceres-La Salle), Kaya FC Makati, Loyola Meralco Sparks, Stallion Laguna, Green Archers United Globe, and JP Voltes.

Two new entities have also thrown their hat into the ring, a group from Davao including Australian-based Filipino businessman Jeff Cheng, and a team from Ilocos. The Ilocos club's bid is associated with another Aussie, Jarred Kelly. Last year Kelly organized a tour of the Philippines by A-League side Perth Glory. The Glory beat the Azkals in Ilocos Sur 2-0 in an exhibition at the new artificial turf stadium near Vigan, and that venue will presumably be that team's home ground if they are allowed to join the league.

Global will play out of Cebu, most likely out of the Abellana field or the pitch of the University of San Carlos. Ceres will stay in Bacolod at Panaad Park and Stadium. Kaya, now Kaya FC-Makati, will call the University of Makati Football Field home. Loyola will represent Taguig and will play out of McKinley Hill Stadium. That facility's claustrophobic turf pitch was supposed to be enlarged late last year but that has not happened yet. It appears Stallion will play out of Biñan Laguna, where an artificial turf field sits, while Green Archers could represent Cavite, although that is not yet a done deal.

Carmona, Cavite is set to be the home of PFF's future headquarters and training center and could host GAU.

Another possibility for GAU could be the General Trias Sports Park, on Arnaldo Highway south of the Open Canal Road.

JP Voltes has yet to declare a community they would represent, (a requirement with this league), but they say they will furnish other requirements soon. Araneta says JPV are checking out the Marikina Sports Complex, although that field is on the small size and would need a lot of work.

As of the moment no club has firmly called dibs on Rizal Memorial as a home ground. I sort of think this is alright. That way RMS remains a neutral ground for national team matches, like Wembley in England.

“I would like to have all 9 applications approved but realistically we could have fewer clubs,” says Araneta. Having an even number of teams like eight is ideal because it would mean every team plays every weekend without anyone taking a bye.

The licensing regulations for the league are outlined here at this link.

(Article intentionally cut, to read more go to: http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-spo...e-coming-along)

[rhk111]

CERES-NEGROS FC UNVEILS NEW SIGNINGS FOR AFC CUP CAMPAIGN

By Ceres FC | January 17, 2017

In preparation for a challenging 2017 AFC Cup campaign, Ceres-Negros FC has recently announced their new players last January 17, 2017 in Bacolod City.

The new signings were a mix of national team veterans and new foreign players to beef up this years campaign. Local signings included veterans in Simone Rota, Jason de Jong, and OJ Porteria with Azkals greenhorn Jim Junior Muñoz and U23 standout Joshua Grommen. Ace goalkeeper Roland Müller was finally presented after six months while Iain Ramsay is still in Australia after signing from the night before.

(Article intentionally cut, to read more go to: http://ceresfootball.com/ceres-negro...-cup-campaign/)

[rhk111]

Stallions FC Laguna Prepares for Philippine Football League

Tuesday, January 17, 2017
By JACK BIANTAN

STALLIONS FC was among the top clubs in the United Football League (UFL).

But with the start of the Philippine Football League (PFL) this March and the fate of the UFL in limbo, the Ernie Nierras co-owned and coached club is aiming to maintain its reputation and this time on a higher level.

The fiery coach and also the main benefactor of the Malditas (National Ladies team) confirmed that the Stallions will definitely make Biñan Laguna as their home city and they will be known as the Stallions Laguna FC.

They are also now busy preparing for the inaugural season of the PFL and have started their pre-season training and tryouts yesterday at their Biñan Football stadium near the Biñan City Hall.

Nierras also revealed that he has 15 players in contract and he needs players to fill up the 22-man team before the tournament starts.

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has not yet finalized how many foreign players are allowed to play for each club that is why he has not announced yet who are they are going to sign. The PFF will finalize this week how many foreign players will they allow to play in each club.

Nierras is one of the few persons in the country who have spent their fortunes for the love of the beautiful game. Ernie and his partner Filbert Alquiros, the owner of Giligans, have already spent millions of their own money since they took over the management of the Stallions FC few years ago.

(Article intentionally cut, to read more go to: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de...-league-520527)

[ultimate_baller24]

New foreign signings

This is a difficult gauntlet for Global to run through, but the Dan Palami-managed team is doing what it can to beef up its roster.

Present at Thursday's roster were several new foreign players (The AFC Champions League, like the AFC Cup, allows teams to have 4 foreigners in the roster and on the pitch, one of which must be from an AFC country). Brazilian centerback Rafael Dumas, on loan from Flamengo, had his first training session with the team. Dumas, who bears a striking resemblance to LeBron James, is a 21-year old who has also been loaned previously to Goa in the Indian top tier.

Shu Sasaki is another new signing bristling with promise. The Japanese-born striker has been playing in Australia's New South Wales Premier League side Blacktown Spartans.

“He just keeps on going and doesn't give up,” says Eli Elhindi, an Australian football fan who was observing training last Thursday (On a side note, Elhindi's son, Patrick, who has a Philippine passport thanks to his Davaoeña mother, is also trialing in PFL clubs).

Sasaki's work rate isn't his only virtue. Both Elhindi and Jon Kanayama, another Fil-Aussie who is back training with Global after a stint with Loyola, say that Sasaki has terrorized the NSW Premier League as one of its most feared strikers, especially two seasons ago.

Sasaki's erstwhile Spartans teammate Yianni Perkatis was also at training. The Aussie centerback has top-tier A-League experience with Western Sydney Wanderers.

Global's other Filipino stalwarts like Bahadoran, Amani Aguinaldo, Dennis Villanueva, Matt Hartmann, Patrick Deyto, Hikaru Minegishi, Paolo Bugas, Paolo Salenga, Marco Casambre, and Jerry Barbaso are good to go and looked fit in training. Global have also roped in two players from Green Archers United Globe, Ronnie Aguisanda and Dodong Villareal. Paul Mulders, who briefly played for Global before suiting up for Ceres, is back in yellow-and blue for 2017.

http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/football/158984-global-aims-big-leagues-asia

[jp2k]

excited to witness regional rivalries with the Visayas clasico of Ceres Negros and Global Queen City

[rhk111]

Veteran Aly Borromeo Looks Forward to National Football League

Posted on February 27, 2017

THE inaugural season of the Philippines Football League (PFL) kicks off this summer and one player looking forward to it is veteran Aly Borromeo, seeing how the league could potentially further the development of the sport in the country.

Kaya Futbol Club’s Aly Borromeo (L) looks forward to competing in the Philippines Football League, whose inaugural season kicks off in April. -- United Football League Facebook account
Currently playing for Kaya Futbol Club, Mr. Borromeo and his team will be among those competing in the PFL, which will serve as the country’s national football league.

The league, under the auspices of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), is envisioned to make football development more far-ranging and grassroots as possible with teams representing different regions in the country.

In its first year, the PFL hopes to have at least eight teams in its rosters of teams.

“I’m looking forward to the start of the PFL in April. We are currently preparing for it. It has a new format and we are set to go to different places and I’m excited playing in it,” said Mr. Borromeo in a recent interview with BusinessWorld.

The 33-year-old Borromeo, who was a former member of the Philippine men’s national football team, or “Azkals,” went on to say that the PFL has a lot of potential in promoting the sport and sustaining the renewed interest in football in the Philippines.

“I’m excited for the fans as well as they get to see the different teams competing. They get to see their favorite players playing for their home team,” Mr. Borromeo said.

(Article intentionally cut, to read more go to: http://www.bworldonline.com/content....ague&id=141305)

[rhk111]

Aguilas Awaits Club License for Pro League

Thursday, March 09, 2017
By MARIANNE L. SABERON-ABALAYAN

IT'S just about time for Mindanao to be represented in the Philippine Football League (PFL) as Aguilas Football Club (FC), under Davao Aguilas, Incorporated (DAI), awaits approval of its club license from the Philippine Football Federation (PFF).

DAI chief executive officer Ramon Manuel, who was a guest along with Aguilas FC coaches Melchor Anzures and Ramonito "Lalas" Carreon during Thursday's Davao Sportswriters Association Forum at a mall in this city, said PFF has yet to release the clubs that have been accepted for the PFL, which according him to him, will start on April 22 to December this year.

"The requirements were not easy but we were able to comply," Manuel said, adding that Davao del Norte Governor Anthony del Rosario has agreed to make Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex football pitch as the Aguilas' home venue since the PFL will be played on a home-and-away format.

Manuel said Aguilas FC team owner Jefferson Cheng has businesses and properties in Davao and considering that Davao City and the rest of Mindanao have been producing promising football players to the national team the likes of Dabawenyos Anzures and Hershey Salmon. Thus, he formed a professional team to represent Mindanao in the PFL.

He cited Amani Aguinaldo, now with the Philippine Azklas men's national football team, who studied elementary at the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) as well as the Diamante brothers of the Dela Salle University, Gio, Gelo and Jed who also hail from Davao City and also studied at ADDU and former Far Eastern University standout Arnel Amita of Far Eastern University, among others, as among those who are currently making names in football in Metro Manila.

(Article intentionally cut, to read more go to: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/spor...-league-530133)

[rhk111]

6 Teams Vying in Stallion Invitational Cup

March 15, 2017

SIX teams including one foreign squad, will see action in the Stallion Invitational Cup kicking off at 1:30 p.m. today between Stallion Laguna FC and the Davao Aguilas at the 2,500-seat Binan Football Stadium in Laguna.

“The Stallion Invitational Cup will be a good pre-season tune-up tournament for all the five squads competing in the national league being organized by the Philippine Football Federation next month,” Stallion Laguna FC squad official Ernie Nierras said in yesterday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Golden Phoenix Hotel in Pasay City.

Also competing in the pocket tournament are Los Angeles-based Belmont-Deft Touch FC, Global Queen City FC, Loyola Meralco Sparks FC and Kaya Makati FC, according to Nierras in the session backed by San Miguel Corp., Golden Phoenix Hotel, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., and Accel.

(Article intentionally cut, to read more go to: http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-ne...vitational-cup)

[rhk111]

A Football Club is Born: Meet Davao Aguilas FC

Mindanao's entry into the upcoming Philippines Football League is brimming with promise. This is why.

Bob Guerrero
Published 4:59 PM, March 27, 2017
Updated 4:59 PM, March 27, 2017

Davao Aguilas FC is one of two brand-new clubs that will enter the Philippines' new top-tier football competition, the Philippines Football League, which kicks off in April. The other debutante will be Ilocos United, based in Vigan.

The club was launched last weekend in Tagum. Here is a primer on what this team is all about.

The footballing city

The southern Mindanao metropolis has always been a football hotbed. Back in the day, Davao was a feared squad in the old Coke Go-For-Goal youth competitions. There was a Davaoeño in the great 1991 national team that beat Malaysia, Hersey Salmon.

The only regular homegrown outfield starter in the current national team, Amani Aguinaldo, is from there.

Davao finished runners up to Negros Occidental in two recent national youth competitions, the 2013 u23 national championship and the 2016 u22 tournament. In both instances they lost narrowly, 1-0, to the Negrenses in the final match.

Davao is also one of the few spots in the Philippines that has a regular men's 11-a-side league, or at least they did last year when I interviewed Davao clubs in the Ceres Cup.

The club will, for now, play in Tagum, about 50 kilometers north of the city, because there is no stadium nearer the city. More on that later.

The kit and crest

Real Madrid fans in southeast Mindanao will be dismayed that the club has Barcelona's red and blue vertical stripes as its primary look. But the team reportedly chose the colors to be patriotic, since those are the hues of our flag. Their away strip will be predominantly white.

Team CEO Chito Manuel says red represents passion and valor while blue symbolizes loyalty and brilliance. Five red stripes on the crest connote 5 attributes of the players, namely strength, speed, agility, and the right mentality. The 4 blue stripes are symbols of the team's values, which are fair play, respect, perseverance and integrity.

These symbols may come across as chintzy to some but I think they go a long way towards building an identity for the club. The middle of the crest is the head of a Philippine eagle.

The owner

Jefferson Cheng is a successful Filipino businessman with interests both here and in Australia. He used to play competitive football in Xavier School as a left back. Cheng is an architecture graduate from UP, so he knows a thing or two about building things from the ground up.

Cheng is a part owner of the Western Sydney Wanderers football club of Australia's top tier, the A-League. The Wanderers stunned the Asian football firmament by winning the AFC Champions League crown in 2014, barely two years after being founded.

Cheng has helped the PFF bankroll its u19 to u22 national sides for several years now.

When asked about his keys to build a winning club, he gave this interesting answer.

"The relationships between the owner, coaches and players are very important."

The coach

Davao's first-ever head coach, (or manager in British football parlance), is Gary Phillips, a 53-year old Australian veteran mentor who has coached in his home country, Malaysia, and Vietnam. He has also managed the Tongan national team and Papua New Guinea's women's side. Phillips led Sydney Olympic to the title in the old Australian National Soccer League in 2002.

Phillips says he wants to instill "pride in the shirt and the city" in his players and wishes to make the club well-known for developing players.

The gaffer will also function as the team's conditioning coach at least for now.

(Article intentionally cut, to read more go to: http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-spo...-football-club)

[Silent Killer]

i'm excited about PFL. hope i can find some streaming to watch some games..

[rhk111]

i'm excited about PFL. hope i can find some streaming to watch some games..

I read somewhere, I can't recall exactly now where, but the plan was to stream not just the Azkals games, but the PFL games as well.

But they really need to go with the big websites, if the PFF will just take note, all the major local news organizations either go livestreaming on Facebook and/or on Youtube. So the PFF should do the same also.

[leoisiah]

It seems that ABS-CBN has stopped supporting the Azkals. The team is no longer playing in the INC Stadium so I don't know the reason why they're still not showing the recent games.

[ultimate_baller24]

The Davao Aguilas FC got the service of former A-league player in Brad McDonald, Trinidad and Tobago International in Darren Mitchell, and Goalkeeper Luke McDonald, former NPL (Div.2) player from Australia. They have also signed Patrick Elhindi,Derek Cruz and Andy Esswein, all have Filipino Blood and will be considered as Local players.