2017 Philippines Football League

Summary

The 2017 Philippines Football League was the inaugural season of the Philippines Football League (PFL), the professional football league of the Philippines.[2] The league was officially launched on April 21, 2017, at Shangri-La at the Fort in Taguig, while the first match of the season was played on May 6.[3] The PFL replaced the Metro Manila-based United Football League (UFL), which served as the country's de facto top-level football league from 2009 to 2016.[4] The league was made up of 8 clubs: 6 from the UFL (Ceres, Global, JP Voltes, Kaya, Loyola Meralco Sparks, and Stallion) and 2 expansion teams (Davao Aguilas and Ilocos United). Each club played the others four times (a home-and-away quadruple round-robin format), twice at their home ground and twice at that of their opponents', for 28 games. The teams that finished the season in the top four entered a playoff tournament to determine the league's champion.[5][6]

Philippines Football League
Season2017
DatesMay 6 – November 28, 2017
(Regular season)
December 2 – 16, 2017
(Finals series)[1]
ChampionsCeres–Negros
1st title
AFC Champions LeagueCeres–Negros
AFC CupGlobal Cebu
Matches played118
Goals scored376 (3.19 per match)
Top goalscorerBienvenido Marañón
(22 goals)
Best goalkeeperRoland Müller
(9 clean sheets)
Biggest home winCeres–Negros 7–0 Ilocos United
(July 8)
Biggest away winMeralco Manila 0–7 Ceres–Negros
(July 15)
Highest scoringJPV Marikina 6–3 Davao Aguilas
(November 21)
Longest winning runMeralco Manila (May 6 – June 17)
JPV Marikina (May 31 – June 25)
Kaya–Makati (July 5–23)
(5 matches)
Longest unbeaten runMeralco Manila (May 6 – July 8)
(9 matches)
Longest winless runIlocos United (May 7 – Sept 17)
(19 matches)
Longest losing runIlocos United (May 13 – June 21)
Ilocos United (Sep 30 – Oct 29)
Kaya–Makati (Oct 28 – Dec 15)
(5 matches)
Highest attendance5,350
Global Cebu 1–0 Ceres–Negros
(July 5)
Lowest attendance0 (Behind closed doors)
Meralco Manila 0–0 Ceres–Negros
(November 24)
2018

The 2017 season was the only PFL season to feature a playoff finals. The top four teams of the league's regular season, which concluded on November 28, progressed to the playoff finals, dubbed as the Finals Series. The Finals Series was held between December 2 and 16 and consisted of a two-legged semifinals, a third-place playoff, and the final match.[7] The final took place on December 16 at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod, between Ceres–Negros and Global Cebu. Ceres–Negros won the match 4–1 and became the first club to win the PFL title.[8]

Teams edit

On November 24, 2016, it was reported that at least five teams will join the inaugural season of the PFL. Bacolod-based Ceres–Negros F.C. reportedly will move to Davao City, and a new club will be formed to represent Bacolod or the Negros Island Region. However at the time of the report, nothing has been confirmed by the club or the Philippine Football Federation (PFF).[9] Ceres later denied reports of stating that they will field a second team supposedly to be based in Davao City.[10]

Ceres, Global, Loyola, Stallion, as well as Kaya were confirmed by the PFF on November 29, 2016, as official clubs for the inaugural 2017 season and is projecting that three other clubs will join.[11] By December 2016, JP Voltes joined the list of confirmed 2017 PFL clubs.[12]

It was reported that a total of ten clubs expressed interest to join the league, eight of which have submitted documents required by the PFF according to PFF General Secretary Ed Gastanes. Green Archers United and a club owned by seaport management firm International Container Terminal Services, were the two clubs which withdrew their bid to participate in the league.[13] By April 1, 2017, the PFF has confirmed the participation of 8 clubs.[5]

Stadiums and locations edit

The PFF confirmed the following clubs with their localities and stadiums that will comprise the inaugural season of the PFL.[14]

Personnel and kits edit

Team Head coach Captain Kit manufacturer Sponsors
Ceres–Negros   Risto Vidaković   Martin Steuble   Puma Ceres Liner
Davao Aguilas   Marlon Maro   Phil Younghusband   LGR San Miguel Corporation
Global Cebu   Akbar Nawas   Misagh Bahadoran   LGR Cebu Tourism Board
Ilocos United   Ian Gillan   Adam Mitter   Puma Metro Global, Pool World Philippines, Pyramid
JPV Marikina   Dan Padernal   Takashi Odawara   LGR JK Mart, BranchForth, Santouka Ramen
Kaya–Makati   Noel Marcaida   Masanari Omura   LGR LBC, Yellow Cab Pizza
Meralco Manila   Aris Caslib   Simon Greatwich   Mizuno Meralco
Stallion Laguna   Ernest Nierras   Ruben Doctora   Nixáre Giligan's Restaurant, Belmont Hotel

Managerial changes edit

Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming manager Date of appointment
Global Cebu   John Burridge Sacked October 2016 Pre-season   Kenichi Yatsuhashi[18] December 2016
Meralco Manila   Simon Mcmenemy End of contract[19] December 2016   Aris Caslib
Global Cebu   Kenichi Yatsuhashi[18]   Toshiaki Imai January 2017
Kaya–Makati   Chris Greatwich Promoted to Team Manager January 2017   Noel Marcaida
JPV Marikina   Yu Hoshide February 2017   Dan Padernal April 2017
Global Cebu   Toshiaki Imai Resigned May 2017 2nd   Marjo Allado (interim) May 2017[20]
  Marjo Allado End of interim tenure June 2017 3rd   Akbar Nawas June 2017[21]
Davao Aguilas   Gary Phillips Sacked[19] September 2017 7th   Marlon Maro September 2017

Foreign players edit

A maximum of four foreigners are allowed per club which follows the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) '3+1 rule'; three players of any nationality and a fourth coming from an AFC member nation.

Players name in bold indicates the player was registered during the mid-season transfer window.

Club Players Former Players1
Ceres–Negros   Kota Kawase   Bienvenido Marañón   Fernando Rodríguez   Súper   Antonio Bello
Davao Aguilas   Miloš Krstić   Brad McDonald 2   Harry Sawyer   Marko Trkulja   Nikola Grubješić
  Bojan Mališić
Global Cebu 3   Yu Hoshide   Darryl Roberts   Rufo Sánchez   Wesley   Shu Sasaki
  Sekou Sylla
Ilocos United   Arthur Kouassi   Adam Mitter   Andrew Pawiak   Baba Sampana   William Ebanda
  Valentine Kama
JPV Marikina   Takashi Odawara   Atsushi Shimono   Takumi Uesato   Masaki Yanagawa
Kaya–Makati   Robert Lopez Mendy   Jordan Mintah   Masanari Omura   Alfred Osei
Meralco Manila   Joaco Cañas   Lee Jeong-min   Tahj Minniecon   Milan Nikolić
Stallion Laguna   Kim Myungsu   Ko Kyung-Joon   Gabriele Mascazzini   Carlo Polli   Christian Nana
  Ryota Ishikawa
  Roland Sadia
  Yusuke Yamagata
  • ^1 Former players only include players who left after the start of the 2017 season.
  • ^2 Also a holder of AFC nationality (Australia)
  • ^3 Global FC also registered other foreigners for the international competitions.
AFC Champions League : Ahamad Azzawi (Iraq), Serge Kaole (Ivory Coast)
AFC Cup : Kemy Agustien (Curaçao), Darryl Roberts (Trinidad and Tobago)
RHB Singapore Cup : Serge Kaole (Ivory Coast), Darryl Roberts (Trinidad and Tobago)
During the mid-season transfer window, Darryl Roberts was added in the PFL team, replacing Sekou Sylla.
Foreign players by confederation
AFC   Japan (7),   South Korea (3),   Australia4 (3)
CAF   Ghana (3),   Ivory Coast (1),   Senegal (1)
CONCACAF   Trinidad and Tobago (1)
CONMEBOL   Brazil (1)
OFC   Papua New Guinea4 (1)
UEFA   Spain (5),   Serbia (3),    Switzerland (2),   England (1)
  • ^4 Brad McDonald has both Australia and Papua New Guinea FIFA nationality.

Regular season table edit

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Meralco Manila 28 17 7 4 43 33 +10 58 Qualification for finals series
2 Ceres–Negros (C) 28 17 6 5 76 27 +49 57
3 Kaya FC–Makati 28 14 5 9 52 35 +17 47
4 Global Cebu 28 13 8 7 47 37 +10 47
5 Stallion Laguna 28 9 8 11 39 49 −10 35
6 JPV Marikina 28 9 6 13 42 48 −6 33
7 Davao Aguilas 28 4 10 14 35 56 −21 22
8 Ilocos United 28 1 6 21 24 73 −49 9
Source: Philippines Football League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal Difference; 3) Goals Scored
(C) Champions

Positions by round edit

Team ╲ Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728Finals Series
Ceres–Negros34432233221212222212111121121
Global Cebu23233444433443333333444444442
Meralco Manila11111111112121111121222212213
Kaya–Makati32324555554334444444333333334
Stallion Laguna88887777787666666666666655555
JPV Marikina75555322345555555555555566666
Davao Aguilas36776666666777777777777777777
Ilocos United37668888878888888888888888888
Finals Series
Source: Philippines Football League

Results by round edit

Team \ Round 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 SF1 SF2 BF3 Final
Ceres–Negros D W L W W W L W W W W L W D W W W D W L W W W D D W D L W W W
Davao Aguilas D L L L D D D L L D L L D L L D L D W W L D L L W L W D
Global Cebu W D W L W L W D W W D D W W L D L D W D L W L W W D L W W D L
Ilocos United D L L L L L D L L D L L L L D L L L L W L L L L L D D L
JPV Marikina L W L W W W W W L L L L D W D D L W L L L D L L D W L D
Kaya–Makati D W L W W L L D W W W W W D L L D D W L W W W L W W L L L L L
Meralco Manila W W W W W D D W W L D W L W W W W D D W L D W W W L W D L D W
Stallion Laguna L D L L D D L L L L D W W W D L W W W W L D D L W D L W

Source: Philippines Football League

Results edit

The eight clubs will play each other four times for twenty eight matches each during the regular season.

^1 Match abandoned at halftime due to deteriorating pitch condition by way of adverse weather. As per PFL rules, final score for matches abandoned at halftime and the second half would be the score of the game just prior to abandonment.[22] ^2 Match deemed a forfeiture due to home stadium unavailability. Kaya awarded a 0–3 win
^3 Match deemed a forfeiture due to ambulances supposed to be on the venue got involved in an accident. Davao awarded a 0–3 win. Forfeiture affirmed on Nov. 22[23]
^4 Match deemed a forfeiture due to Ilocos' non-compliance with the league's franchise agreement. Meralco awarded a 0-3 win.[24]
^5 Match abandoned in the 78rd minute due to "poor visibility". Game ended in 2–2 draw.[25]

Finals Series edit

The top four teams from the Regular Season qualified and are seeded for the Finals Series' Semifinals. The 1st and 4th ranked clubs of the Regular Season are seeded in the first semifinals while the 2nd and 3rd ranked club were seeded in the second semifinals. The winners of the two-legged semifinals contested for the league title in the final while the losers played in a third place playoff.[26]

Bracket edit

Semi-finals Final
        
1 Meralco Manila 1 1 2
4 Global Cebu 2 1 3
4 Global Cebu 1
2 Ceres Negros 4
2 Ceres Negros 1 2 3
3 Kaya–Makati 0 1 1 Third place
1 Meralco Manila 3
3 Kaya–Makati 1

Semi-finals edit

All times are in Philippine Standard Time (UTC+8)

Meralco Manila vs Global Cebu (1st vs 4th) edit

Global Cebu2–1Meralco Manila
Wesley   90'
Minegishi   90+2'
Minniecon   61' (pen.)
Meralco Manila1–1Global Cebu
Dizon   2' Sanchez   83'
Referee: Ariel Montana (Philippines)

Global Cebu won 3–2 on aggregate.


Ceres–Negros vs Kaya–Makati (2nd vs 3rd) edit

Kaya–Makati0–1Ceres–Negros
Report Schröck   90+2'
Referee: Clifford Daypuyat (Philippines)
Ceres–Negros2–1Kaya–Makati
Marañón   30'
Ramsay   73'
Ugarte   43'
Referee: Mick John Pineda (Philippines)

Ceres–Negros won 3–1 on aggregate.


Third place edit

Meralco Manila3–1Kaya FC–Makati
Cañas   3'
Dizon   15', 23'
Bedic   58'

Final edit

Ceres–Negros4–1Global Cebu
Marañón   4'
Ramsay   19', 27', 60'
Roberts   88'

Season team rankings edit

As per statistical convention in football, matches decided in extra time are counted as wins and losses, while matches decided by penalty shoot-outs are counted as draws.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Ceres–Negros (C) 31 20 6 5 83 29 +54 66 Qualification for the
AFC Champions League Preliminary Round 1
or AFC Cup Group Stage
2 Global Cebu 31 14 9 8 51 43 +8 51 Qualification for the
AFC Cup Group Stage
3 Meralco Manila 31 18 8 5 48 37 +11 62 Possible qualification for the
AFC Cup Group Stage[a]
4 Kaya–Makati 31 14 5 12 54 41 +13 47
5 Stallion Laguna 28 9 8 11 39 49 −10 35 Did not qualify for the Finals Series
6 JPV Marikina 28 9 6 13 42 48 −6 33
7 Davao Aguilas 28 4 10 14 35 56 −21 22
8 Ilocos United 28 1 6 21 24 73 −49 9
Source: Philippines Football League
(C) Champions
Notes:
  1. ^ If the PFL Champion qualifies for AFC Champions League Group Stage

Season statistics edit

Scoring edit

Top goalscorers edit

Rank Player Team Goals
1   Bienvenido Marañón Ceres–Negros 22
2   Fernando Rodríguez Ceres–Negros 21
3   Jordan Mintah Kaya–Makati 18
4   Takumi Uesato JPV Marikina 16
5   Jesus Melliza Stallion Laguna 13
6   Takashi Odawara JPV Marikina 10
  Iain Ramsay Ceres–Negros
  Harry Sawyer Davao Aguilas
  Phil Younghusband Davao Aguilas
Meralco Manila
10   Robert Lopez Mendy Kaya–Makati 9
  Rufo Sanchez Global Cebu
  James Younghusband Davao Aguilas
Meralco Manila

Top assists edit

Rank Player Team Goals
1   Iain Ramsay Ceres–Negros 12
2   Stephan Schröck Ceres–Negros 11
3   Bienvenido Marañón Ceres–Negros 10
  Jordan Mintah Kaya–Makati
  Miguel Tanton Kaya–Makati
6   Tahj Minniecon Meralco Manila 9
  OJ Porteria Ceres–Negros
8   Hikaru Minegishi Global Cebu 8
  Phil Younghusband Davao Aguilas
Meralco Manila
10   Kouichi Belgira JPV Marikina 7
  Matthew Hartmann Davao Aguilas
Global Cebu
  Robert Lopez Mendy Kaya–Makati

Hat-tricks edit

As of December 17, 2017
Player Club Result Against Date
  Takumi Uesato JPV Marikina 4–0 (A) Stallion Laguna May 31, 2017
  Bienvenido Marañón Ceres–Negros 3–1 (H) Kaya–Makati June 24, 2017
  Fernando Rodríguez Ceres–Negros 5–1 (H) Stallion Laguna June 28, 2017
  Iain Ramsay Ceres–Negros 7–0 (A) Meralco Manila July 15, 2017
  Jordan Mintah Kaya–Makati 5–2 (H) Ilocos United July 19, 2017
  Takumi Uesato4 JPV Marikina 5–2 (H) Global Cebu August 13, 2017
  Jesus Melliza4 Stallion Laguna 5–0 (H) Ilocos United September 10, 2017
  Harry Sawyer Davao Aguilas 4–2 (A) Ilocos United October 18, 2017
  Rufo Sánchez Global Cebu 4–3 (H) Stallion Laguna November 2, 2017
  Fernando Rodríguez Ceres–Negros 5–1 (H) Davao Aguilas November 2, 2017
  Fernando Rodríguez Ceres–Negros 6–0 (H) Meralco Manila November 5, 2017
  Takumi Uesato JPV Marikina 6–3 (H) Davao Aguilas November 21, 2017
  Iain Ramsay Ceres–Negros 4–1 (H) Global Cebu December 16, 2017
Note

(H) – Home ; (A) – Away

4 Player scored four goals

Clean sheets edit

As of December 14, 2017
Rank Goalkeeper Team Clean sheets
1   Roland Müller Ceres–Negros 9
2   Florencio Badelic Jr. Meralco Manila 7
  Benito Rosalia Stallion Laguna
4   Ref Cuaresma Kaya–Makati 6
  Patrick Deyto Global Cebu
6   Marko Trkulja Davao Aguilas 4
  Nathanael Villanueva Meralco Manila
8   Nelson Gasic JPV Marikina 3
9   Zach Banzon Kaya–Makati 2
  Louie Casas Ceres-Negros

Discipline edit

Red cards edit

As of December 12, 2017
Rank Player Team Red cards
1   Jason Cordova Davao Aguilas 2
  Miguel Tanton Kaya–Makati
3   Adam Reed Kaya–Makati 1
  Jalsor Soriano Kaya–Makati
  Nicholas Ferrer Stallion Laguna
  Jordan Mintah Kaya–Makati
  Sekou Sylla Global Cebu
  Roland Müller Ceres–Negros
  Daniel Gadia Meralco Manila
  Takumi Uesato JPV Marikina
  Ali Mahmoud JPV Marikina
  Paul Mulders Global Cebu
  Peter Fadrigalan JPV Marikina
  Milan Nikolić Meralco Manila
  Robert Cañedo JPV Marikina
  John Celiz JPV Marikina
  OJ Porteria Ceres–Negros
  John Kanayama Ilocos United
  David Fornea Meralco Manila

Additionally, players may be suspended for more than a single match due to violations of the PFF Disciplinary Code. The Disciplinary Committee on November 7, 2017, imposed match suspensions and fines to players due to misconduct towards officials and/or other players.[29]

References edit

Notes

  1. ^ The University of San Carlos Stadium was initially the designated home ground of Global Cebu as per the PFF.[14] However the venue still to be completed. The club had played at the Rizal Memorial Stadium for its home games prior to July 2017. They played their first match at their home locality on July 5, 2017, in their home game against Ceres–Negros at the Cebu City Sports Complex which was being rehabilitated by the Cebu Football Association since May 2017.[15]
  2. ^ The home stadium of the club is located in Bantay, Ilocos Sur, a nearby town of Vigan. For administrative and marketing purposes the home city of Ilocos United is designated as "Vigan"
  3. ^ Because of the ongoing works in the Marikina Sports Complex, the team played its home league games at either the Biñan Football Stadium in Biñan, or the Rizal Memorial Stadium. In essence, they were groundsharing with Stallion Laguna F.C. and Meralco Manila.[16]
  4. ^ Meralco Manila's league home match against Ceres Negros on November 24, 2017, was held at the PFF National Training Centre in Carmona, Cavite due to the NCAA collegiate league reserving Rizal Memorial Stadium as the venue for its NCAA Season 93 football competition opening day.[17]
  5. ^ The game is considered as a Home Game for Global Cebu. Game was played in RMS due to unavailability of Global's home stadium, the Cebu City Sports Complex.[27]

References

  1. ^ [philippinesfootballleague.com/new/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/PFL-Calendar-2017-as-of-May-13-2017-1.pdf PFL Calendar]
  2. ^ "Ceres FC ready to apply for PFL license". The Visayan Daily Star. October 15, 2016. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
  3. ^ Jacinto, Christian (April 22, 2017). "Finally, a national league for the Philippines after launch of PFL". Sport Interactive Network Philippines. Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  4. ^ Reyes, Jaelle Nevin (September 8, 2016). "UFL, PFF to cooperate in creating pro league". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on October 19, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  5. ^ a b Doble, Henry (April 1, 2017). "8 teams for PFL inaugural kickoff". Sun Star Bacolod. Archived from the original on October 19, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  6. ^ Guerrero, Bob (May 4, 2017). "Philippines Football League previews: Ceres, Aguilas, Global, and Ilocos United". Rappler. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  7. ^ "PFL Finals Series Cast Finalized". Philippine Football Federation. November 29, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  8. ^ Alison, Mars (December 17, 2017). "Ceres overpowers Global 4-1 to win inaugural PFL title". Rappler. Archived from the original on October 19, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  9. ^ Biantan, Jack (November 24, 2016). "UFL teams disperse to provinces to form PH Football League". Sun Star Cagayan de Oro. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
  10. ^ Galunan, Jerome (November 28, 2016). "Ceres FC denies having 2 teams in the PFL". Watchmen Daily Journal. Archived from the original on December 1, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  11. ^ Olivares, Rick (November 29, 2016). "5 clubs sign up for new PH Football League". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  12. ^ Co, Adrian Stewart. "Stallion, JP Voltes jump ship to PH Football League". Panay News. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  13. ^ Cabatbat, Erel (February 16, 2017). "PFL update--Atty. Ed Gastanes..." Instagram. News5Aksyon. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  14. ^ a b Gastanes, Ed. "PFF to Issue Club Licenses to 8 Clubs for the Inaugural Season of the Philippines Football League". Philippine Football Federation. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  15. ^ Rosal, Glendale (June 15, 2017). "Rosal: CCSC field to be ready for Global Cebu's home game". Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  16. ^ Biantan, Jack (April 27, 2017). "Biantan: Time for PTV4 to step-up for as PFL kicks off". Retrieved April 30, 2017. The Marikina City stadium is still undergoing repairs and is sharing the Rizal Memorial with Loyola-Meralco Manila.
  17. ^ "Crucial Manila-Negros clash to be held at PFF's new Carmona bas". Dugout Philippines. November 21, 2017. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  18. ^ a b Guerrero, Bob (January 20, 2017). "Global FC aims for the big leagues of Asia". Rappler. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
  19. ^ a b Biantan, Jack (October 22, 2017). "Coach Maro on roll with Davao Aguilas". Sun Star Cagayan de Oro. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  20. ^ Guerrero, Bob (May 15, 2017). "AFC Cup KO stage preview". Rappler. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  21. ^ "Former Tampines Coach Akbar Nawas takes over at Global-Cebu". ESPN FC. ESPN. June 21, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  22. ^ Murillo, Michael Angelo (July 19, 2017). "PFL: JPV Marikina FC tries to arrest skid". BusinessWorld. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  23. ^ "PFL ADVISORY: M107 JPV MARIKINA FC VS DAVAO AGUILAS FC". PFL. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  24. ^ "Manila triumphs". Tempo. October 31, 2017. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
  25. ^ "08 Nov PFL Advisory: JPV Marikina FC VS Ceres Negros FC". Philippines Football League. November 8, 2017. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
  26. ^ "Weekly CEO Column: The PFL Final Series". November 24, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  27. ^ "No Cebu game for Global in PFL semis". Sun Star Cebu. November 29, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  28. ^ "FIFA Referees News: Philippines : 2017 Philippines Football League Final". December 16, 2017.
  29. ^ "1st LFI Disciplinary Committee Meeting on 07 November 2017" (PDF). Philippines Football League. November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 9, 2017.

External links edit

  • Official Website