2018 Philippines Football League

2nd season of the Philippines Football League

Football league season
Philippines Football League
Season2018
DatesMarch 3 – August 25, 2018
ChampionsCeres–Negros
2nd title
AFC Champions LeagueCeres–Negros
Matches played75
Goals scored289 (3.85 per match)
Top goalscorerRobert Lopez Mendy
(18 goals)
Best goalkeeperToni Doblas
(7 clean sheets)
Biggest home winCeres–Negros 7–1 Global Cebu
(July 21)
Kaya–Iloilo 6–0 Global Cebu
(August 11)
Biggest away winGlobal Cebu 1–11 JPV Marikina
(August 1)
Highest scoringGlobal Cebu 1–11 JPV Marikina
(August 1)
Longest winning runCeres–Negros (April 4 – May 12)
(5 matches)
Longest unbeaten runCeres–Negros (May 23 – June 20)
Stallion Laguna (July 14 – Aug 25)
(8 matches)
Longest winless runGlobal Cebu (May 27 – Aug 25)
(17 matches)
Longest losing runGlobal Cebu (July 21 – Aug 25)
(13 matches)
Highest attendance4,681
Ceres–Negros 2–1 Kaya-Iloilo
(April 4)
Lowest attendance0 (Behind closed doors)
JPV Marikina 1–4 Ceres–Negros
(April 28)
2017
2019
All statistics correct as of August 30, 2018.

The 2018 Philippines Football League was the second season of the Philippines Football League (PFL), the professional football league of the Philippines. The season started on March 3 and concluded on August 25.[1][2] The league was contested by six teams from last season's eight, after Meralco Manila and Ilocos United withdrew before the season began.

Ceres–Negros won their second consecutive league title on July 25 with three matches to spare.[3]

Due to several issues with the league—such as the expensive home-and-away format as well as the lack of sponsors and TV coverage—the PFL was abolished after the 2018 season and was replaced by the Philippine Premier League.[4] However, the Philippine Premier League also had numerous issues and was folded after only a single match day. The PFL was then renewed for a third season in 2019.

Changes from 2017

For this season, the league discontinued the play-off final, or the Final Series due to the introduction of the Copa Paulino Alcantara, the domestic cup tournament which was held after the league season.[1] Thus, the PFL became a pure quintuple round-robin tournament where each club played the others five times—each club playing 25 games.

Teams

The eight clubs which participated in the inaugural season were granted license to partake in the 2018 season by November 2017.[5] However, on January 8, 2018, FC Meralco Manila ceased operations in the senior club level[6] and on January 18 Ilocos United F.C. announced their withdrawal from the league leaving only 6 teams for the 2018 season.

Stadiums and locations

On February 6, 2018, Kaya F.C. transferred from Makati to Iloilo.[7]

Team Location Stadium Capacity
Ceres–Negros Bacolod Panaad Stadium 8,000
Davao Aguilas Tagum, Davao del Norte Davao del Norte Sports Complex 3,000
Global Cebu Cebu City Cebu City Sports Complex
JPV Marikina Marikina, Metro Manila Marikina Sports Complex 15,000
Kaya–Iloilo
(Kaya–Makati; until April 2018)
Makati, Metro Manila
(until April 2018)
University of Makati Stadium 4,000
Iloilo City
(May 2018 onwards)
Iloilo Sports Complex 7,000
Stallion Laguna Biñan, Laguna Biñan Football Stadium 2,580
Alternate stadiums

The following are alternate home venues for Davao Aguilas, Global Cebu, and JPV Marikina as approved by Liga Futbol, Inc.[8]

Location Stadium Capacity
Manila Rizal Memorial Stadium 12,873
Biñan, Laguna Biñan Football Stadium 2,580
Carmona, Cavite PFF National Training Centre 1,200


Home venues of PFL clubs
  • Note: On February 6, 2018, Kaya F.C. transferred from Makati to Iloilo.[7]

Personnel and kits

Team Head coach Captain Kit manufacturer Sponsors
Ceres–Negros Serbia Risto Vidaković Philippines Martin Steuble Germany Adidas Ceres Liner
Davao Aguilas Philippines Melchor Anzures Philippines Phil Younghusband Made by club San Miguel Corporation, Tapa King
Global Cebu Serbia Dragutin Stević-Ranković Trinidad and Tobago Darryl Roberts Philippines LGR TrackMate
JPV Marikina Philippines Dan Padernal Japan Atsushi Shimono Philippines LGR JK Mart, BranchForth, Santouka Ramen
Kaya FC–Iloilo Philippines Noel Marcaida Philippines Miguel Tanton Philippines LGR LBC, Fitness First
Stallion Laguna Philippines Ernest Nierras Philippines Ruben Doctora Philippines Nixáre Giligan's Restaurant

Coaching changes

Team Outgoing coach Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming coach Date of appointment
Global Cebu Singapore Akbar Nawas End of Contract January 11, 2018[9] Pre-season Philippines Marjo Allado (interim) January 11, 2018
Davao Aguilas Philippines Marlon Maro Resigned May 29, 2018[10] 3rd Philippines Melchor Anzures May 29, 2018[10]
Global Cebu Philippines Marjo Allado (interim) Resigned August 4, 2018[11] 6th Serbia Dragutin Stević-Ranković August 18, 2018[12]

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 Players1
Ceres–Negros Spain Toni Doblas[13] Spain Bienvenido Marañón[14] Australia Blake Powell Spain Súper[14] Japan Takumi Uesato
Davao Aguilas South Korea Kim Sungmin[15] Papua New Guinea Brad McDonald 2 3 Australia Tahj Minniecon Brazil Wesley dos Santos[16] Japan Takashi Odawara[15]
Australia Harry Sawyer
Brazil Diego Alves[17]
Global Cebu South Korea Lee Jeong-min[15] England Adam Mitter[18] Serbia Milan Nikolić[18] Trinidad and Tobago Darryl Roberts[19] Spain Rufo Sánchez[20]
Brazil Wesley dos Santos[16][21]
JPV Marikina Japan Keigo Moriyasu[22][23] Japan Atsushi Shimono[23] Japan Tsubasa Suzuki[23] Japan Takumi Uesato Japan Ryuki Kozawa[23]
Kaya–Iloilo Cameroon Serge Kaole Senegal Robert Lopez Mendy[24] Japan Masanari Omura[24] Ghana Alfred Osei Ghana Jordan Mintah[24]
Stallion Laguna South Korea Ko Kyung-joon[25] Switzerland Carlo Polli Senegal Abou Sy South Korea Yu Sung-Na Switzerland Gabriele Mascazzini[25]
Japan Ken Kensei[25]
  • ^1 Former players only include players who left after either the start of the 2018 season or the 2018 Copa Paulino Alcantara.
  • ^2 Also a holder of AFC nationality (Australia)
Foreign players by confederation
AFC  Japan (5),  South Korea (4),  Australia3 (2)
CAF  Ghana (1),  Senegal (2),  Cameroon (1)
CONCACAF  Trinidad and Tobago (1)
CONMEBOL  Brazil (1)
OFC  Papua New Guinea3 (1)
UEFA  Spain (3),   Switzerland (1),  Serbia (1),  England (1)
  • ^3 Brad McDonald has both Australia and Papua New Guinea FIFA nationality.

League table

Pos Team
  • v
  • t
  • e
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Ceres–Negros (C) 25 19 3 3 66 25 +41 60 Qualification for the
AFC Champions League Preliminary Round 1
or AFC Cup Group Stage
2 Kaya–Iloilo 25 15 4 6 58 32 +26 49
3 Davao Aguilas 25 11 6 8 52 39 +13 39
4 Stallion Laguna 25 12 3 10 49 45 +4 36[a]
5 JPV Marikina 25 7 2 16 46 63 −17 20[b]
6 Global Cebu 25 1 2 22 18 85 −67 5
Source: Philippines Football League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal Difference; 3) Goals Scored
(C) Champions
Notes:
  1. ^ Three points were deducted from Stallion Laguna due to the club's failure to comply with Liga Futbol Inc. Disciplinary Committee’s Decision No. 010318DC03.[26]
  2. ^ Three points were deducted from JPV Marikina due to the club's failure to comply with Liga Futbol Inc. Disciplinary Committee’s Decision No. 010318DC02.[27]

Positions by round

Updated to match(es) played on August 30, 2018. Source: Philippines Football League

Results by round

Team ╲ Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425
Ceres–NegrosWWWWWLWWWDWDWWLWWDWWWWLWW
Davao AguilasDWDWWLLWLLLLWWWLDLDWDWWWD
Global CebuLLDLLLWLLLLDLLLLLLLLLLLLL
JPV MarikinaWWLLLLLLLWDLLLWLDLLWWLWLL
Kaya–IloiloDLWLWWWWWLWDLWWWDLLWWWDWW
Stallion LagunaLWLWLWWLLWWLWLLLWWDWWWDDL
Updated to match(es) played on August 30, 2018. Source: Philippines Football League
W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Results

The six clubs will play each other in two rounds of home and away matches. The final round hosting will be via drawing of lots. 75 league matches will be played in total.[1]

First round

Home \ Away CER DAV GLC JPV KAY STA
Ceres–Negros 3–0 7–1 4–1 2–1 2–0
Davao Aguilas 0–2 1–1 3–2 2–2 5–0
Global Cebu 0–2 2–2 1–3 3–1 1–2
JPV Marikina 0–3 0–3 2–1 1–4 1–4
Kaya–Iloilo 1–1 4–2 3–0 1–0 4–1
Stallion Laguna 2–3 0–1 2–1 1–2 3–1
Source: philippinesfootballleague.com
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.


Second round

Home \ Away CER DAV GLC JPV KAY STA
Ceres–Negros 2–1 6–1 0–2 0–2 2–0
Davao Aguilas 1–3 3–0 4–2 3–1 2–2
Global Cebu 3–4 0–3 1–5 0–1 1–2
JPV Marikina 1–4 3–3 3–0 0–3 1–4
Kaya–Iloilo 1–1 2–1 4–0 4–2 4–2
Stallion Laguna 2–6 3–0 4–0 3–2 2–0
Source: philippinesfootballleague.com
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.


Final round

Home \ Away CER DAV GLC JPV KAY STA
Ceres–Negros 0–3 3–0 4–1
Davao Aguilas 2–0 3–4
Global Cebu 1–11 0–3
JPV Marikina 1–1 0–3 1–3
Kaya–Iloilo 0–1 6–0
Stallion Laguna 1–1 4–0 1–1
Source: philippinesfootballleague.com
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Season statistics

Scoring

Top goalscorers

As of August 30, 2018
Rank Player Club Goals
1 Senegal Robert Lopez Mendy Kaya–Iloilo 18
2 Spain Bienvenido Marañón Ceres–Negros 15
3 Philippines Phil Younghusband Davao Aguilas 13
4 Japan Keigo Moriyasu JPV Marikina 11
5 Philippines James Younghusband Davao Aguilas 10
6 Philippines Jovin Bedic Kaya–Iloilo 9
Philippines Mike Ott Ceres–Negros
Switzerland Carlo Polli Stallion Laguna
9 Philippines J Baguioro JPV Marikina 8
Philippines Jesus Melliza Stallion Laguna
South Korea Kim Sung-Min Davao Aguilas

Top assists

As of August 30, 2018
Rank Player Club Assists
1 Philippines Phil Younghusband Davao Aguilas 13
2 Philippines Mike Ott Ceres–Negros 11
3 Philippines Miguel Tanton Kaya–Iloilo 10
4 Philippines Jovin Bedic Kaya–Iloilo 9
Philippines Manny Ott Ceres–Negros
6 Philippines Matthew Hartmann Davao Aguilas 8
Philippines Jesus Melliza Stallion Laguna
Japan Keigo Moriyasu JPV Marikina
9 Senegal Robert Lopez Mendy Kaya–Iloilo 6
10 Philippines Fitch Arboleda Stallion Laguna 5
Philippines Tyler Matas Davao Aguilas
Philippines OJ Porteria Ceres–Negros
Philippines Patrick Reichelt Ceres–Negros
Philippines Stephan Schröck Ceres–Negros
Philippines James Younghusband Davao Aguilas

Own goals

As of August 22, 2018
Rank Player Club Own
goals
1 Philippines Terence Linatoc Stallion Laguna 1
Japan Tsubasa Suzuki JPV Marikina
Philippines Reynald Villareal Stallion Laguna
South Korea Ko Kyung-joon Stallion Laguna

Hat-tricks

As of August 22, 2018
Player Club Result Against Date Ref
Ghana Jordan Mintah Kaya–Iloilo 4–1 (A) JPV Marikina May 5, 2018 [28]
Senegal Robert Lopez Mendy Kaya–Iloilo 4–2 (H) Davao Aguilas May 20, 2018 [29]
Senegal Robert Lopez Mendy Kaya–Iloilo 4–2 (H) JPV Marikina June 27, 2018 [30]
Philippines Jovin Bedic Kaya–Iloilo 4–2 (H) Stallion Laguna July 4, 2018 [31]
Spain Bienvenido Marañón Ceres–Negros 6–1 (H) Global Cebu July 25, 2018 [32]
Japan Keigo Moriyasu JPV Marikina 11–1 (A) Global Cebu August 1, 2018 [33]
Philippines Jay Baguioro
Note

(H) – Home ; (A) – Away

Clean sheets

As of August 29, 2018
Rank Player Club Clean
sheets
1 Spain Toni Doblas Ceres–Negros 7
2 Philippines Nathanael Villanueva Kaya–Iloilo 4
3 Philippines Patrick Deyto Davao Aguilas 3
4 Philippines Ronilo Bayan Jr. Davao Aguilas 2
Philippines Nick O'Donnell Davao Aguilas
Philippines Felipe Tripulca Stallion Laguna
7 Philippines Zach Banzon Kaya–Iloilo 1
Philippines Ref Cuaresma Kaya–Iloilo
Philippines Nelson Gasic JPV Marikina
Philippines Hayeson Pepito Stallion Laguna
Philippines Benito Rosalia Stallion Laguna

Discipline

Red cards

As of August 23, 2018
Rank Player Club Red Cards
1 Ghana Alfred Osei Kaya–Iloilo 2
Philippines Omid Nazari Ceres–Negros
Senegal Robert Lopez Mendy Kaya–Iloilo
4 Spain Rufo Sanchez Global Cebu 1
Philippines Dennis Villanueva Davao Aguilas
Philippines Adam Reed Davao Aguilas
Philippines Jason Cordova Stallion Laguna
Philippines Camelo Tacusalme Kaya–Iloilo
Philippines Robert Cañedo JPV Marikina
Philippines Shirmar Felongco Kaya–Iloilo
Philippines Angelo Marasigan Global Cebu
Philippines OJ Porteria Ceres–Negros
Philippines Louie Casas Ceres–Negros
Philippines Mike Ott Ceres–Negros
Serbia Milan Nikolić Global Cebu

References

  1. ^ a b c "PFL Season 2018 Begins March 3". Philippines Football League. January 31, 2018. Archived from the original on December 4, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  2. ^ "2018 PFL Season set to begin March 3". Rappler. January 31, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  3. ^ "Ceres captures back to back PFL titles". Philippine Daily Inquirer. July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  4. ^ Gasgonia, Dennis (January 23, 2019). "Football: Philippine Premier League replaces PFL". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  5. ^ "PFF Club Licensing Grants Club License To Eight PFL Clubs". Philippine Football Federation. November 19, 2017. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
  6. ^ Go, Beatrice (January 8, 2018). "PH football club Meralco Manila ceases operations". Rappler. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  7. ^ a b "Kaya FC signs agreement for transfer to Iloilo". Fox Sports Philippines. February 6, 2018. Archived from the original on February 7, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  8. ^ "Advisory: Stadium Status of Davao, Marikina, Cebu". Philippines Football League. Liga Futbol, Inc. April 26, 2018. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  9. ^ Diaz, Ray Charlie (January 11, 2018). "Global Cebu appoints Allado as interim coach anew". Retrieved January 11, 2018.
  10. ^ a b Biantan, Jack (May 29, 2018). "Maro Out, Anzures In For Davao Aguilas FC". Pinoy Football. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  11. ^ Cebu, Sun Star (August 4, 2018). "Allado leaves Global Cebu". Retrieved August 4, 2018.
  12. ^ Foxsportsasia (August 20, 2018). "Global FC's revamp points to a promising future". Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  13. ^ Piñero, Margota (December 28, 2017). "Doblas se va al Ceres de Filipinas" [Doblas moves to Philippines' Ceres]. Marca.com (in Spanish). Retrieved December 31, 2017.
  14. ^ a b "Ceres-Negros FC retains championship core in 2018 campaign". Ceres-Negros FC. January 1, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  15. ^ a b c Sevilla, Jeremiah (January 26, 2018). "Global Cebu signs 3 ex-Meralco stalwarts". Manila Times. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  16. ^ a b Averilla, Earl (June 1, 2018). "Brazilian defender Wesley Dos Santos Rodrigues joins Davao Aguilas". Fox Sports. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  17. ^ Averilla, Earl (July 2018). "Super Swoop: Davao Aguilas unveil new players in transfer window". Fox Sports Philippines. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  18. ^ a b Fernandez, Lawrence Andrew (July 20, 2018). "Filipino-British striker Gilmar to play for Global Cebu FC". Fox Sports Asia. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  19. ^ "Key signings boost Global Cebu roster". Cebu Daily News. January 31, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  20. ^ "Striker Rufo Sanchez leaves Global Cebu". Fox Sports PH. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  21. ^ Averilla, Earl (May 21, 2018). "Wesley Rodrigues bids goodbye to his tenure with Global Cebu". Fox Sports PH. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  22. ^ Estrada, Kevin (March 2, 2018). "NPA No More: JPV excited to play in Marikina at last to open the new PFL season". Dugout Philippines. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  23. ^ a b c d "JPV Marikina 2018 Player Roster". Facebook. JPV Marikina FC. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  24. ^ a b c Jacintha, Christian (March 3, 2018). "All eyes on local boy Eric Giganto as Kaya Iloilo looks to spoil Davao Aguilas home debut in PFL". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  25. ^ a b c Saldajeno, Ivan (January 6, 2018). "Laguna announces signings for PFL 2018". Dugout Philippines. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  26. ^ "Point Deduction for Stallion Laguna FC". Philippines Football League. Liga Futbol Inc. April 12, 2018. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  27. ^ "Point Deduction for JPV Marikina FC". Philippines Football League. Liga Futbol, Inc. July 31, 2018. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  28. ^ "JPV Marikina 1–4 Kaya FC-Iloilo". PFL. May 5, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  29. ^ "Kaya FC-Iloilo 4–2 Davao-Aguilas". PFL. May 20, 2018. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  30. ^ "Kaya FC-Iloilo 4–2 JPV Marikina". PFL. June 27, 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  31. ^ "Kaya FC-Iloilo 4–2 Stallion Laguna". PFL. July 4, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  32. ^ "Ceres-Negros 4–2 Global Cebu". PFL. July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  33. ^ Averilla, Earl (August 1, 2018). "JPV Marikina rack up double digit goals against keeper-less Global". FOX Sports PH. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
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2018 in Philippine football
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2018 in Asian football (AFC)
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External links

  • Official Website