Marañon bags hat-trick as UCFC rolls past Mendiola

 SPANISH striker Bienvenido Marañon ran riot, scoring a hat-trick to highlight United City FC’s 6-0 rout of Mendiola FC last Saturday for its second straight win the Philippine Football League at the PFF national training center in Carmona, Cavite.

Displaying his all-around attacking prowess, Maranon opened the match with a header in the 12th minute, added another with 20-yard strike in the 25th, and a third from the penalty spot.

His Senegalese strike partner Robert Mendy also found his groove, coming up with a brace with goals in the 38th and 60th minutes as UCFC stayed on top of the table. Midfielder Mike Ott added the sixth goal with a 52nd penalty kick in wrapping up the lopsided match.

It was a rude welcome to the tournament for Mendiola.

“We definitely played better than our last game and I think that our rivals just gave up mentally after falling behind 4-0 in the first half,” said Franklin Muescan of UCFC who also handed pro debuts for Miggy Clariño and Pocholo Bugas.

Muescan said his side can still improve.

“We still have to dominate as much as we can on ball possession and we really want to impose our will against the opposition by overloading more players inside the box,” he said.

Mendiola coach Dan Padernal is upbeat his side can still contend with four matches left in their schedule.

“You really cannot make silly mistakes against a top caliber team like United City and not pay for it,” admitted Padernal. “But we still have four games left so it is still mathematically possible for us to get back into the competition. “

Notwithstanding the hat-trick, Marañon said the end goal is to claim the title.

“It doesn’t matter if I score one, two or three goals what matters is that the team won and we got our three points,” said the AFC Cup record goalscorer

https://pfl.org.ph/maranon-bags-hat-trick-ucfc-rolls-past-mendiola/

Maharlika Manila notch historic victory

 Maharlika Manila scored two goals in the second half in pulling off a stunning come-from-behind 2-1 upset of debuting Stallion-Laguna FC yesterday in Day 2 of the Philippines Football League at the PFF National Training Center field in Carmona, Cavite.

Down 0-1 at the break, the charges of coach Roxy Dorlas came charging back in the last 45 minutes to net two goals from substitute Jose Montelibano in the 52nd minute and Jeremy Theuer, who volleyed in the 74th minute.

Smarting from a 0-1 loss to Kaya-Iloilo FC last Wednesday, Maharlika remained in the hunt in the six-team, single-round series sanctioned by the Philippine Football Federation and presented by Qatar Airways.

Senegalese midfielder Ibrahim N’Dour knocked in the opening goal for Stallion-Laguna with a clinical finish inside the box in the 28th minute.

But, with three starters missing, Stallion faded in the second half allowing Maharlika to get back into the match.

Cameroonian goalkeeper Henri Bandeken had another stellar outing at the net and was named Man of the Match.

“Words cannot express how happy I feel about this victory,” said Dorlas after his team showed its resiliency after falling behind in the first half against one of the league’s fancied sides.

“One of the things that (team owner) Anton del Rosario told us when we formed this squad was to produce positive results and gain the respect of the big clubs and this is what we did today,” he added.

Stallion-Laguna FC assistant coach Richard Leyble acknowledged that fatigue set in for his players in the second half but praised his rivals for the way they never gave up when they fell behind.

“Without our three starters in our first 11 it was difficult for us,” Leyble said as Nathan Alquiros, Ricky Sendra and Abou Sy were all unavailable for the match.

“We just have to avoid the same mistakes and how to sustain our fitness for the entire 90 minutes.”

https://pfl.org.ph/maharlika-manila-notch-historic-victory/

Kaya-Iloilo dominates Maharlika Manila, gets winning start

 By Kent Garcia

Title contenders Kaya FC-Iloilo started their 2020 Philippines Football League (PFL) brought to you by Qatar Airways campaign on a positive note as they beat newcomers Maharlika Manila FC 1-0 at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite last October 28, 2020.

The seemingly close scoreline flattered Maharlika as last season’s runners-up outplayed them throughout the match but only had a solitary goal to show for it with Jason Panhay hitting the back of the net in the 30th minute.

Key players from the capital club was missing for their league debut with Joaquin Canas, Misagh Bahadoran and Sung-min Kim not in the lineup for head coach Roxy Dorlas. Furthermore, they lost veteran midfielder Serge Kaole at the 12th minute due to a serious injury.

Kaya went on to dominate the match as they looked forward to give Maharlika a rude welcome to the PFL. New midfield additions in Dylan de Bruycker and OJ Clarino wreaked havoc and helped in setting the offensive for the Ilonggos, helped by Daizo Horikoshi and veteran Panhay. Their first major chance came at the 12th minute as Maharlika goalkeeper Henri Bandeken Fong saved Horikoshi’s shot from the right side.

It set a precedent on what will be the scene for most of the match as Kaya kept on pushing and Maharlika more content on defending deep and hit on the counter-attack. The persistence paid off for Kaya in the 30th minute as Horikoshi sent a searching low cross through the Maharlika penalty area with forward Kenshiro Daniels and de Bruycker playing the dummy and left it to Panhay who lashed out a first-time shot with his right foot to send the ball to the top right corner and bag the match’s only goal.

Maharlika didn’t go down without a fight and even created chances of their own, most notably a couple of attempts initiated by their homegrown player MJ Libre. The short yet pacey winger from Tondo created the newcomers’ first clear chance on goal in the 22nd minute as his searching cross from the right side was mishandled by the Kaya defense and fell to his teammate Charlie Beaton who struck it but was denied by Kaya defender Carlyle Mitchell. Four minutes later, Libre went on to strike a powerful attempt outside the box which deflected off Kaya defender Simone Rota and just went a few inches over the Kaya goal manned by Louie Casas.

The same story continued in the second half as Kaya looked to score a second to seal their win, with head coach Yu Hoshide subbing in Jovin Bedic, Eric Giganto and Arnel Amita to bolster their attack. However, a determined Maharlika side kept their defensive composure in crucial moments to keep the scoreline despite the men in yellow continuously pushing on. Kaya’s best chance of the second half came in the 92nd minute as a goalmouth scramble almost produced a goal but Beaton and Bandeken Fong teamed up miraculously keep the ball off the line, much to the frustration of their opponents.

Both clubs will be back in action on October 31 (Saturday), with Stallion Laguna the next side to test Maharlika while Kaya takes on the youthful Azkals Development Team.

Kaya XI (4-1-4-1): Louie Casas (GK); Marco Casambre, Simone Rota, Carlyle Mitchell, Shirmar Felongco; Marwin Angeles (captain); Jason Panhay, Dylan de Bruycker, Daizo Horikoshi, OJ Clarino; Kenshiro Daniels.

Maharlika XI (4-3-3): Henri Bandeken Fong (GK); Jerry Barbaso (captain), David Basa, Anton del Rosario, Mateo Yuhico; Jose Montelibano, Serge Kaole, David Fornea; Charlie Beaton, Yannick Tuason, MJ Libre.

http://huddleph.com/2020/10/29/kaya-iloilo-dominates-maharlika-manila-gets-winning-start/

United FC blanks Azkals

 By Ian Suyu

United City FC eked out a tight 1-0 victory against the Azkals Development Team to start its title-retention bid in the historic opening of the Philippines Football League (PFL) at the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.

UCFC midfielder Mike Ott completed a volley kick off Manny Ott in the 26th minute to bag their first three points in the compressed bubble tournament.

The former Ceres-Negros squad imposed airtight defense as midfielder Takashi Odawara and skipper Stephan Schrock dominated the possession right from the get-go, giving the young Azkals team a hard time to press the ball throughout the match.

ADT had its chance to clinch for a draw after Manny Ott was booked for a red card in the latter part of the second half but failed to convert its last-minute runs against the defensive scheme of the defending champions.

https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2020/10/28/united-fc-blanks-azkals/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

PFL Wednesday - United City 1-0 Azkals Development Team

 

Full match :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JocnvBgRrDA&t=1809s

PFL kicks off Wednesday

 The Philippines Football League brought to you by Qatar Airways will kick off on Wednesday, 28 October 2020, at PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.

The league will release a revised schedule of matches on Monday.

“We are happy to announce the kickoff of the 2020 PFL season on Wednesday,” said Philippine Football Federation president Mariano Araneta on Sunday night. “This is a big moment for everyone in  the football community. We appreciate the collective effort from the PFF, the clubs, and most important, the Games and Amusements Board and the city government of Santa Rosa, Laguna.”

The league had initially scheduled its opening last Sunday 25 October, but inclement weather caused by Tropical Depression Quinta  and positive Covid-19 test results on some players prompted the postponement of the matches.

Following positive results on players from two clubs after RT-PCR tests on 21 October 2020 and their isolation, all players, coaches, and staff underwent antigen tests last Sunday inside the league’s “bubble” in Seda Nuvali in Santa Rosa, Laguna. All had negative results.  Antigen tests will be conducted regularly every other day for the two clubs. Pre-match day antigen test will also be conducted for the rest.

PFF and league officials appreciate the quick implementation of health protocols in Seda Nuvali and are grateful for the guidance and support of GAB Chairman Baham Mitra and Santa Rosa Mayor Hon. Arlene Arcillas.

All clubs will strictly adhere to health and safety protocols prescribed for the league while staying in Seda Nuvali and playing matches at PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite. League coordination with the city government of Sta. Rosa, Laguna and municipal government of Carmona, Cavite will also continue.

https://pfl.org.ph/pfl-statement/?fbclid=IwAR3Y5js-qxNsn7YBxD4pvvf7rb_fRBp2m2Exh_JgjrJN7RF4AyHnZ8k_2uM

PFL postpones kickoff after 9 test positive for COVID-19

 By CNN Philippines Staff

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 24) — The Philippines Football League announced that it has postponed its kickoff scheduled on Sunday to a few days later, after nine people, including a coach and five players, caught the coronavirus disease.

The league management said in a statement on Saturday that the coach and players were from two football clubs and were tested on October 16 and 21 before they entered the league's "bubble" in Seda Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Close contacts of the cases were also later tested and three more people were found positive, management said.

"We have anticipated this scenario hence there is a set of health and safety protocols in place for incidents such as this," said PFL Commissioner Coco Torre. "What is important is that all continue to adhere with the protocols which are aimed to prevent or minimize the spread of the virus."

The PFL did not mention a new date for the kickoff, but noted that should its first three matches on Sunday push through in Carmona, Cavite, they may be disrupted by bad weather due to Tropical Depression "Quinta."

https://cnnphilippines.com/sports/2020/10/24/PFL-2020-kickoff-postponed-covid-19.html?fbclid#.X5RJS1gP9QM.twitter

PFL STATEMENT ON LEAGUE KICKOFF

 The Philippines Football League is postponing its kickoff initially scheduled for Sunday 25 October 2020 to a few days later.

Inclement weather brought on by Tropical Depression Quinta is expected in the area of the match venue, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite, on Sunday which may lead to disruption of the three matches scheduled for Matchday 1.

RT PCR/swab tests were conducted on 16 and 21 October 2020 prior to their entry to the league’s “bubble” in Seda Nuvali in Santa Rosa, Laguna. Five (5) players and one (1) coach, among two (2) clubs, tested positive in the RT-PCR tests conducted on 21 October 2020. They had to be isolated. Further tests were conducted on those with close contacts on these persons last Saturday, 24 October 2020 and three (3) returned positive.

“We have anticipated this scenario hence there is a set of health and safety protocols in place for incidents such as this. What is important is that all continue to adhere with the protocols which are aimed to prevent or minimize the spread of the virus. Upon checking, we have confirmed that those who tested positive admitted had a close contact with the player who was first to test positive,” said PFL Commissioner Coco Torre.

“We put emphasis on the safety of each and every individual in the bubble, whether player, staff, or match official,” said PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes. “We understand the current situation and with participants’ strict compliance with bubble-specific protocols, we hope to push through with kickoff in a few days.”

https://pfl.org.ph/pfl-statement-league-kickoff/

6 PFL clubs now inside Sta Rosa bubble for 2020 season

 By Reuben Terrado

ALL six clubs that will compete in the 2020 Philippines Football League have entered its bubble on Wednesday, days before the kick-off at the Philippine Football Federation National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.

The clubs – United City FC, Kaya FC-Iloilo, Stallion-Laguna, Mendiola FC, Maharlika FC, and the Azkals Development Team – are now at the league’s quarters Seda Nuvali Hotel in Sta. Rosa, Laguna for the staging of the bubble tournament backed by Qatar Airways opening on Sunday.

“All the members of the teams as well as PFL personnel in the bubble will undergo mandatory swab tests, and hopefully, none of them will test positive as practice begins on Friday and Saturday,” said PFL commissioner Coco Torre.

The Azkals Developmental Team and Mendiola FC open hostilities of the league on Sunday, 9 a.m., with Stallion-Laguna and Kaya FC-Iloilo clashing at 4:30 p.m.

Capping off opening day is the match between United City FC led by Azkals skipper Stephan Schrock taking on Maharlika FC at 8:30 p.m.

The league will be a short single-round series with the club with the most points by Nov. 6 to be declared as the champion.

Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano ‘Nonong’ Araneta is glad that after a lengthy process of gaining the go-signal to play in a bubble from the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), professional football is back in the Philippines.

https://www.spin.ph/football/pfl/six-pfl-clubs-now-inside-bubble-for-2020-season-a795-20201022?ref=feed_1_section

PFL reverts to old format for "bubble" season

 By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--In a sudden development, the PFL is going back to the classic football season format.

League commissioner Coco Torre confirmed on Wednesday night that the Finals Series, which would have pitted the top four teams after the regular season to declare the champion, has been scrapped off from the calendar for this year.

This means the top team of the season will be determined the usual way, that is, the club with the most accumulated points after all the matches are played will be crowned champion.

Torre said that the omission of the playoffs from the PFL season was a result of a meeting between club owners on Sunday.

"They were discussing key factors such as player fatigue and physical fitness given the fact that for seven months there was no football at all," he quipped in an online press conference.

The six participating clubs, namely defending champion United City, last season's runner-up Kaya Iloilo, Stallion Laguna, Mendiola, newcomer Maharlika Manila, and guest squad Azkals Development Team, will play a single round robin tournament, which means each squad will only have five games.

While five is too few for a number of matches per club this year, Philippine Football Federation secretary general Ed Gastanes said that it will not affect the PFL's participation in next year's AFC Champions League.

"Because of the pandemic, both FIFA and the AFC have authorized the leagues and the NA's (national associations) to shorten the league duration. We have been told that we are free to do that without violating any regulation from FIFA and the AFC," he said.

The champion of this year's PFL season will get an outright spot in the AFCCL group stages.

The runner-up, on the other hand, will enter the AFCCL qualifying phase.

Meanwhile, the PFL moved its supposed Oct. 24 twinbill to the following day, which means the season will begin with a triple-header.

The season opener between ADT and Mendiola will now be played at 9 a.m. of Oct. 25, while the marquee match-up between Kaya Iloilo and Stallion Laguna will kick off at 4:30 p.m.

The other clash of Matchday 1 between Maharlika Manila and United City will now be the nightcap of the opening day festivities at 8 p.m.

All the matches will happen at the PFF National Training Centre in Carmona as part of a bubble.

The full schedule will be released at a later date.

https://www.dugout.ph/2020/10/pfl-reverts-to-old-format-for-bubble.html?fbclid=IwAR23oPyWg-OJsEAtRR2FetVAUhrTAdD1Ibbp1mNFtGVr6DvH48vhsKAjfZY

League Kickoff set for October 24 under Bubble Setup

 The stage is set for the 2020 Philippines Football League brought to you by Qatar Airways which kicks off on Oct. 24 2020 at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.

PFL Commissioner Coco Torre met with the clubs Thursday evening to discuss the league competition and the bubble setup which will be subject to approval of the Inter Agency Task Force.

But while the league waits for the green light, Torre already laid out the competition format for the season which will feature a single round-robin competition followed by a Finals Series.

Teams will play five matches each with the top four teams advancing to the Finals Series.

To minimize the risk of COVID-19, the league is setting up a bubble at Seda Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna for the duration of the tournament.

All PFL clubs and match officials will be staying inside the bubble and will only be allowed to leave the premises for training and matches in Carmona.

The duel between Azkals Development Team and Mendiola FC ushers in the season at 4:30 p.m. followed by the clash between Stallion Laguna and Kaya FC-Iloilo at 8:30 p.m.

Newcomers Maharlika Manila FC and United City FC square off the next day at 5 p.m.

The league is finalizing its protocols for approval by the Games and Amusements Board and the Department of Health. The PFL is also closing in on a broadcast deal that will allow fans to watch the matches live on different platforms.

https://pfl.org.ph/league-kickoff-set-october-24-bubble-setup/

PFL revises plan, eyes full bubble

 

By I

an Suyu

The Philippine Football League (PFL) is set to come up with a full bubble concept in a bid to kick off its season amid the threat of the novel coronavirus.

PFL commissioner Coco Torre said they are set to revise their plan in compliance to the order of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) before they can start their competition.

Initially, the PFL was planning to have a “semi-bubble” format in which the players would be housed in quarters away from the competition venue at the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) training facility in Carmona, Cavite.

But with IATF not yet giving the nod, they have to revise their plan and turn it into a full bubble.

“We have to meet with the teams because it appears that the IATF will not allow us to start the season if we will not be using bubble format,” said Torre, adding that they want to copy the formula being used by the Philippine Basketball Association in Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.

“Even the scrimmages must be held within bubble setting. We have to review the protocols once again.”

https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2020/10/03/pfl-revises-plan-eyes-full-bubble/