Stallions FC Laguna prepares for Philippine Football League

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. They are now spending more. However, they might cut their personal expenses this year as they are in negotiations with a big company to be club sponsor. Nierras admits that spending for a professional club in the PFL is like buying a brand new Ferrari every year. He predicts that the Stallions FC Laguna will spend more than P20 million for salaries alone this season. With the home and away format, each club will spend more than P20 million for the 2017 season alone. They have even created a company, FAENGP Inc. to manage the club. Alquiros is the Chairman while Nierras is the President. Filbert Alquiros owns the Giligans chain of restaurants all over the country. It has 59 branches in Luzon, Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao and three more branches soon to open. Nierras on the other hand is the founder and CEO of Cavite based technology firm Phythos Technology Philippines Inc. Nierras also said that they are thankful for the Biñan LGU for the support and for allowing them to use the Biñan Football stadium. For this the Stallions FC Laguna is organizing the 1st Arman Dimaguila Mayor’s Cup 7-Aside football tournament which will kick off on Jan 21-22 also at the Biñan Football stadium. The tournament is for Boys U10 (2007 and younger), U13 (2004 and younger), U15 (2002 and younger), U17 (2000 and younger) for January 21, while on January 22 competitions will be in the Men’s open, Women’s open and Girls U12(2005 and younger), U14 (2003 and younger), U16 (2001 and younger). (l.biantan@gmail.com)

Read more: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/sports/2017/01/17/stallions-fc-laguna-prepares-philippine-football-league-520527