First PFL match : Kaya Fc-Makati vs Ceres-Negros Fc - May 6

Make Kaya FC–Makati history with us on May 6! We play our first-ever PFL home game at the University of Makati (UMak). Ticket prices: P20 for field-side section and P350 for grandstand. Tickets to the May 6 game can be used for our second home game!

PFL Match Day 1 and 2 - May 6 and 7

Philippines Football League

Biantan: PFL PR campaigners need to be fired

By JACK BIANTAN

AS LONG time frustrated football fan in this basketball crazy country, I am delighted that the long time planned Philippine Football League (PFL) has been finally executed. The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) with the help of the brains of the former premier football league in our country, the United Football League (UFL), finally launched the nationwide league at the posh Shangri La Hotel in Taguig (not in Makati as earlier reported). There is so much excitement but there are still so many questions and concerns left unanswered or unresolved. First, the PFF has a long history of organizational failures in running tournaments. I think this PFL is too big for them. They should concentrate in running the national teams and the development of the sports all over the country and give the running of the PFL to the people who successfully created and ran the UFL. Call me a devil’s advocate but the launching of the PFL itself has not caught any attention of the national media, except for the usual football writers. Their stories were not even given big spaces deserving for the launching of the Philippine National League. Even the social media were dying to get information about the launching. I was looking for stories about the launching two days before the event in Shangri La. I was told to go to the PFF website. The information from the PFF website about the PFL was stale and several weeks old. They then posted a story about the launching a day before the launching. Who the hell is in charge of the PFL PR? For the love of the beautiful game I always write stories about football. Now with the PFL, I am so delighted to write anything about the league. But what will I write when I could not even get information from the PFF? Someone is not doing his job properly. Who is that someone? Please fire him. It is just the start of the PFL. This is just one of the problems. This is not even a big problem. But if the PFF could not even fix this small problem, how could they fix bigger problems? (l.biantan@gmail.com)

Read more: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/sports/2017/04/24/biantan-pfl-pr-campaigners-need-be-fired-538142

PFL Opening Schedule : JPV Marikina vs Global Cebu to be played at RMS

The opening ceremony of Philippines Football League (PFL) was held on the 21st, and as a result of the lottery, the schedule of the opening game was decided as follows.

May 7th (Sunday) at 7pm K.O / Rizal Stadium ※ Scheduled

· JPV Marikina FC vs Global Cebu FC

It will be the home game of our club, but since the Marikina Stadium is currently under construction, we will be using Rizal Stadium. The kick-off time, as announced by the league, is at 7pm, but it might be subject to change. Ticket selling method, price etc. are also being planned now. We will announce further details soon.

 Other scheduled games are as follows:

May 6th at 4 pm K.O / University of Makati

· Kaya FC – Makati vs Ceres Negros FC

May 6th at 7 pm K.O / Biñan Laguna Stadium

· Stallion Laguna FC vs FC Meralco Manila

May 7th at 4 pm K.O / Quirino Stadium

· Ilocos United FC vs Davao Aguilas FC

http://en.jp-voltes.org/2017/04/23/pfl-opening-schedule/

Araneta excited about new football league

BY JAELLE NEVIN REYES

After four years of planning, the Philippine Football League (PFL) was officially launched on Friday in Taguig City with eight teams competing in the inaugural season.

Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President Mariano “Nonong” Araneta expressed optimism about the new national football league saying that with the support of different stakeholders, it could usher in the rebirth of the sport in the country.

“I’m positive with this support for this league. These are community-based teams and they should get support. I think the teams are also committed to improve football in the amateur level in their respective provinces,” said Araneta.

The PFL replaced the United Football League (UFL) as the country’s premiere football tournament.

The PFF, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the International Football Federation (FIFA) spearheaded the creation of the PFL whose games will be televised by People’s Television Network (PTV) 4.

Araneta hopes the PFL will rekindle the interest of the Filipinos on football.

“This is the first professional football league in the Philippines. We are really happy that this is pushing through. Hopefully, it would be successful. We are here to support the success of this league,” said Araneta.

“We have sponsors that are willing to fund the league. The owners and the teams are excited with this league and hopefully, it’s the same with the fans in the provinces,” Araneta added.

Six former Division 1 UFL teams banner the field led by Global Cebu FC, the last champion in the UFL.

The other ex-UFL teams are Bacolod’s Ceres Negros FC and Stallion Laguna FC. Meanwhile, the Metro Manila-based squads are Kaya FC-Makati, JP Voltes Marikina FC and FC Meralco Manila (formerly Loyola Meralco Sparks FC).

The newcomers Ilocos United FC will represent northern Luzon while the Davao Aguilas FC, is Mindanao’s lone entry in the PFL.

The games will be played in a home-and-away format with the top four clubs competing in a finals series similar to the Australian top tier football league.

Global will play its home games at the University of San Carlos Stadium, Ceres at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod, Stallion at Biñan Football Stadium in Laguna, Kaya at the University of Makati Stadium, JP Voltes at the Marikina Sports Complex, FC Meralco at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila, Ilocos United at the Quirino Stadium in Bantay, Ilocos Sur and Davao Aguilas at the Davao del Norte Sports Complex.

The PFL will open on May 6 with a double-header featuring Kaya FC and Ceres Negros at 4 p.m. while the Stallion Laguna and FC Meralco clash will begin at 7 p.m. Venues for the said matches will be announced on a later date.

http://www.manilatimes.net/araneta-excited-new-football-league/323518/

EIGHT CLUBS BATTLE IN INAUGURAL PFL SEASON

The Philippines now has a truly national and professional football league it can call its own.

What started out as a dream four years ago has become a reality with the Philippines Football League finally kicking off on May 6 with eight clubs vying in the inaugural season, marking another milestone for the Beautiful Game in the country.

Global-Cebu FC, Ceres-Negros FC, Kaya FC Makati, FC Meralco Manila, Stallion Laguna FC, JPV Marikina FC, Ilocos United FC and Davao Aguilas FC are the pioneering clubs of the league that will have two rounds of home-and-away matches.

“We are bringing the passion and the love for the Beautiful Game to different parts of the country with the PFL,” said Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta at the PFL launching at Shangri-La Fort in Taguig City.

“This is a dream come true for all of us involved in this project. We appreciate the time, effort and resources put in by the clubs to make the PFL possible. We’ve taken the next step for Philippine football.”

The PFL was formed after close to four years of planning and organizing with a PFF task force, with the help of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the International Football Federation (Fifa).

PFF general-secretary Edwin Gastanes said the federation will be working with Singapore-based international sports marketing agency Red Card Media for the league commercials.

The league has also partnered with Peoples Television (PTV) for the airing of two live matches every weekend, Gastanes said. The live matches will be aired on Saturday and Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m.

“This is truly an unprecedented endeavor,” said Gastanes. “We are looking forward to a vibrant and exciting first season ahead for the PFL.”

The clubs signed their respective franchise agreements with the PFF two weeks ago, finally paving the way for kickoff.

The PFL will be the basis of nomination for AFC club competitions, particularly the AFC Champions League and the AFC Cup, where Global and Ceres are currently seeing action.

Gastanes expressed optimism of the league’s success with the help of stakeholders of the sport and sponsors.

“We pray all stakeholders- club owners, players, coaches, match officials, fans and sports media will all help to grow and nurture the league,” Gastanes added.

http://pff.org.ph/2017/04/22/eight-clubs-battle-inaugural-pfl-season/

Schrock negotiates return to Ceres FC

By Henry G. Doble

AFTER dissolution of Filipino-German Stephan Schrock’s contract with SpVgg Greuther Fürth last April 15, Ceres Negros Football Club is now negotiating his possible return to the club. Ceres FC team manager James Dinsay confirmed efforts to possibly reacquire the 30-year-old midfielder who last played for the club during the 2016 AFC Cup. “We are hoping to have him back, but it all depends on the turnout of the negotiations as he also has some offers in Europe and Asia,” Dinsay said. Schrock, who signed with Ceres FC last year on-loan alongside Kevin Ingreso, played a vital role in the club’s successful AFC Cup campaign where they reached the Round of 16 only to suffer a heartbreaking 0-1 loss to South China AA in extra time. Moreover, the Azkals star also helped Ceres Football Club in the 2016 United Football Club season and the RHB Singapore Cup, where they placed third, the highest finish achieved by a Filipino club. SpVgg Greuther Fürth, director of professional football Ramazan Yildirim said that Schröck and the club have agreed on the contract resolution. “Stephan has a special place here in Furth, that was and is conscious of us,” Yildirim said. SpVgg Greuther Furth also wished Schrock all the best for his future. For his part, Schrock said he was very grateful for the time he had at the game. “I would like to wish the club and all fans a heartfelt success and will continue to keep the cloverleaf in the future as well,” he said. “On paper, I am no longer one, but I will always be a friend in my heart. Thanks for 14 great years,” he said on his FB account.

Read more: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/sports/2017/04/21/schrock-negotiates-return-ceres-fc-537655