2017 Philippines Football League

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 21 April 2017 at Shangri-La at the Fort in Taguig, while the first match of the season was played on 6 May.[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
Dates6 May – 28 November 2017
(Regular season)
2 – 16 December 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)
Biggest home winCeres–Negros 7–0 Ilocos United
(8 July 2017)
Biggest away winMeralco Manila 0–7 Ceres–Negros
(15 July 2017)
Highest scoringJPV Marikina 6–3 Davao Aguilas
(21 November 2017)
Longest winning runMeralco Manila (6 May – 17 June)
JPV Marikina (31 May – 25 June)
Kaya–Makati (5 – 23 July)
(5 matches)
Longest unbeaten runMeralco Manila (6 May – 8 July)
(9 matches)
Longest winless runIlocos United (7 May – 17 September)
(19 matches)
Longest losing runIlocos United (13 May – 21 June)
Ilocos United (30 Sept – 29 October)
Kaya–Makati (28 October – 15 December)
(5 matches)
Highest attendance5,350
Global Cebu 1–0 Ceres–Negros
(5 July 2017)
Lowest attendance0 (Behind closed doors)
Meralco Manila 0–0 Ceres–Negros
(24 November 2017)
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 28 November, progressed to the playoff finals, dubbed as the Finals Series. The Finals Series was held between 2 and 16 December and consisted of a two-legged semifinals, a third-place playoff, and the final match.[7] The final took place on 16 December 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

On 24 November 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 29 November 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 1 April 2017, the PFF has confirmed the participation of 8 clubs.[5]

Stadiums and locations

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

Personnel and kits
Team Head coach Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt partner
Ceres–Negros Risto Vidaković Martin Steuble Puma Ceres
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
Meralco Manila Aris Caslib Simon Greatwich Mizuno Meralco
Stallion Laguna Ernest Nierras Ruben Doctora Nixáre Giligan's Restaurant
Belmont Hotel

Managerial changes
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

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 Players 1
Ceres–Negros Kota Kawase Bienvenido Marañón Fernando Rodríguez Súper Antonio Bello
Davao Aguilas Miloš Krstić Brad McDonald 2 Harry Sawyer Marko Trkulja Nikola Grubješić
Darren Mitchell

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 Atsushi Shimono Takashi Odawara Takumi Uesato Masaki Yanagawa
Kaya–Makati Robert Lopez Mendy Jordan Mintah Masanari Omura Alfred Osei
Meralco Manila Joaquín Cañas Lee Jeong-min Tahj Minniecon Milan Nikolić Hunter Harrison
Stallion Laguna Kim Myungsu Ko Kyung-Joon Gabriele Mascazzini Carlo Polli Christian Nana
Ryo Tamiya
Ryota Ishikawa
Roland Sadia
Yusuke Yamagata
  • ^1 Foreign players who left their clubs or were de-registered from playing squad due to medical issues or other matters while the league season was still ongoing.
  • ^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 (11),  South Korea (3),  Australia4 (4)
CAF Ghana (4)  Cameroon (2),  Ivory Coast (2),  Guinea (1),  Senegal (1)
CONCACAF Trinidad and Tobago (2),  United States (1)
CONMEBOL Brazil (1)
OFC Papua New Guinea4 (1)
UEFA Spain (6),  Serbia (5),   Switzerland (2),  England (1)
  • ^4 Brad McDonald has both Australia and Papua New Guinea FIFA nationality.

Regular season
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 to Finals series
2 Ceres–Negros 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

Positions by round
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
Team \ Round 12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728SF1SF2BF3Final
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

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

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
  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

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

Meralco Manila vs Global Cebu (1st vs 4th)
Global Cebu2–1Meralco Manila
Wesley  90'
Minegishi  90+2'		 Minniecon  61' (pen.)
Referee: Linjun Talaver (Philippines)
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)
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
Meralco Manila3–1Kaya FC–Makati
Cañas  3'
Dizon  15', 23'		 Bedic  58'

Final
Ceres–Negros4–1Global Cebu
Marañón  4'
Ramsay  19', 27', 60'		 Roberts  88'
Attendance: 2,553

Season team rankings

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 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 7 6 47 37 +10 61 Possible qualification for the
AFC Cup Group Stage[lower-alpha 1]
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
Notes:
  1. If the PFL Champion qualifies for AFC Champions League Group Stage

Season statistics

Top goalscorers
RankPlayerTeamGoals
1 Bienvenido MarañónCeres–Negros 22
2 Fernando RodríguezCeres–Negros 21
3 Jordan MintahKaya–Makati 18
4 Takumi UesatoJPV Marikina 16
5 Jesus MellizaStallion Laguna 13
6 Harry SawyerDavao Aguilas 10
Phil YounghusbandDavao Aguilas 1
Takashi OdawaraJPV Marikina
Iain RamsayCeres–Negros
10 Robert Lopez MendyKaya–Makati 9
James YounghusbandDavao Aguilas 1
Rufo SanchezGlobal Cebu
Note

1 6 goals were scored for Meralco Manila during the same season.

Top assists
RankPlayerTeamGoals
1 Iain RamsayCeres–Negros 12
2 Stephan SchröckCeres-Negros 10
3 OJ PorteriaCeres-Negros 9
4 Tahj MinnieconMeralco Manila 8
Robert Lopez MendyKaya–Makati
Bienvenido MarañónCeres–Negros
7 Phil YounghusbandMeralco Manila 7
Hikaru MinegishiGlobal Cebu
9 Takashi OdawaraJPV Marikina 6
Miguel TantonKaya–Makati
Manuel OttCeres-Negros
Koichi BelgiraJPV Marikina

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

(H) – Home ; (A) – Away

4 Player scored four goals

Clean sheets
As of 14 December 2017
RankGoalkeeperTeamClean sheets
1 Roland MüllerCeres–Negros 9
2 Benito RosaliaStallion Laguna 7
Florencio Badelic Jr.Meralco Manila
Patrick DeytoGlobal Cebu
5 Ref CuaresmaKaya–Makati 6
6 Marko TrkuljaDavao Aguilas 4
Nathanael VillanuevaMeralco Manila
8 Nelson GasicJPV Marikina 3
9 Zach BanzonKaya–Makati 2
Louie CasasCeres-Negros

Red cards
As of 12 December 2017
RankPlayerTeamRed cards
1 Jason CordovaDavao Aguilas 2
Miguel TantonKaya–Makati
Milan NikolićMeralco Manila
4 Adam ReedKaya–Makati 1
Jalsor SorianoKaya–Makati
Nicholas FerrerStallion Laguna
Jordan MintahKaya–Makati
Sekou SyllaGlobal Cebu
Roland MüllerCeres–Negros
Daniel GadiaMeralco Manila
Takumi UesatoJPV Marikina
Ali MahmoudJPV Marikina
Jeffrey ChristiaensCeres–Negros
Peter FadrigalanJPV Marikina
Robert CañedoJPV Marikina
John CelizJPV Marikina
OJ PorteriaCeres–Negros
John KanayamaIlocos United
David ForneaMeralco 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

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. 15 October 2016. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  3. Jacinto, Christian (22 April 2017). "Finally, a national league for the Philippines after launch of PFL". Sport Interactive Network Philippines. Archived from the original on 23 July 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  4. Reyes, Jaelle Nevin (8 September 2016). "UFL, PFF to cooperate in creating pro league". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on 19 October 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  5. Doble, Henry (1 April 2017). "8 teams for PFL inaugural kickoff". Sun Star Bacolod. Archived from the original on 19 October 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  6. Guerrero, Bob (4 May 2017). "Philippines Football League previews: Ceres, Aguilas, Global, and Ilocos United". Rappler. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  7. "PFL Finals Series Cast Finalized". Philippine Football Federation. November 29, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  8. Alison, Mars (17 December 2017). "Ceres overpowers Global 4-1 to win inaugural PFL title". Rappler. Archived from the original on 19 October 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  9. Biantan, Jack (24 November 2016). "UFL teams disperse to provinces to form PH Football League". Sun Star Cagayan de Oro. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  10. Galunan, Jerome (28 November 2016). "Ceres FC denies having 2 teams in the PFL". Watchmen Daily Journal. Archived from the original on 2016-12-01. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  11. Olivares, Rick (29 November 2016). "5 clubs sign up for new PH Football League". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  12. Co, Adrian Stewart. "Stallion, JP Voltes jump ship to PH Football League". Panay News. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  13. Cabatbat, Erel (16 February 2017). "PFL update--Atty. Ed Gastanes..." Instagram. News5Aksyon. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  14. Gastanes, Atty. Ed. "PFF to Issue Club Licenses to 8 Clubs for the Inaugural Season of the Philippines Football League". Philippine Football Federation. Retrieved 8 April 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. 21 November 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  18. Guerrero, Bob (20 January 2017). "Global FC aims for the big leagues of Asia". Rappler. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  19. Biantan, Jack (22 October 2017). "Coach Maro on roll with Davao Aguilas". Sun Star Cagayan de Oro. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  20. Guerrero, Bob (15 May 2017). "AFC Cup KO stage preview". Rappler. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  21. "Former Tampines Coach Akbar Nawas takes over at Global-Cebu". ESPN FC. ESPN. 21 June 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  22. Murillo, Michael Angelo (19 July 2017). "PFL: JPV Marikina FC tries to arrest skid". BusinessWorld. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
  23. "PFL ADVISORY: M107 JPV MARIKINA FC VS DAVAO AGUILAS FC". PFL. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  24. "Manila triumphs". Tempo. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  25. "08 Nov PFL Advisory: JPV Marikina FC VS Ceres Negros FC". Philippines Football League. 8 November 2017. Retrieved 8 November 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. 29 November 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  28. http://refereesfifa.blogspot.fr/2017/12/philippines-2017-philippines-football.html
  29. "1st LFI Disciplinary Committee Meeting on 07 November 2017" (PDF). Philippines Football League. 7 November 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
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