2018 Philippines Football League

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Philippines Football League
Season2018
Dates3 March – 25 August 2018
ChampionsCeres–Negros
2nd title
AFC Champions LeagueCeres–Negros
Matches played75
Goals scored289 (3.85 per match)
Top goalscorerRobert Lopez Mendy
(18 goals)
Biggest home winCeres–Negros 7–1 Global Cebu
(21 July)
Kaya–Iloilo 6–0 Global Cebu
(11 August)
Biggest away winGlobal Cebu 1–11 JPV Marikina
(1 August)
Highest scoringGlobal Cebu 1–11 JPV Marikina
(1 August)
Longest winning runCeres–Negros (4 April – 12 May)
(5 matches)
Longest unbeaten runCeres–Negros (23 May – 20 June)
Stallion Laguna (14 July – 25 Aug)
(8 matches)
Longest winless runGlobal Cebu (27 May – 25 Aug)
(17 matches)
Longest losing runGlobal Cebu (21 July – 25 Aug)
(13 matches)
Highest attendance4,681
Ceres–Negros 2–1 Kaya-Iloilo
(4 April)
Lowest attendance0 (Behind closed doors)
JPV Marikina 1–4 Ceres–Negros
(28 April)
← 2017
2019 →
All statistics correct as of 30 August 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 3 March and concluded on 25 August.[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 25 July 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 8 January 2018, FC Meralco Manila ceased operations in the senior club level[6] and on 18 January Ilocos United F.C. announced their withdrawal from the league leaving only 6 teams for the 2018 season.

Stadiums and locations[]

On 6 February 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 11 January 2018[9] Pre-season Philippines Marjo Allado (interim) 11 January 2018
Davao Aguilas Philippines Marlon Maro Resigned 29 May 2018[10] 3rd Philippines Melchor Anzures 29 May 2018[10]
Global Cebu Philippines Marjo Allado (interim) Resigned 4 August 2018[11] 6th Serbia Dragutin Stević-Ranković 18 August 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 Players 1
Ceres–Negros Spain Toni Doblas[13] Spain Bienvenido Marañón[14] Australia Blake Powell Spain Súper[14] Japan Takumi Uesato
Davao Aguilas Brazil Diego Oliveiro Alves[15] Brazil Wesley dos Santos[16] Papua New Guinea Brad McDonald 2 3 South Korea Kim Sungmin[17] Japan Takashi Odawara[17]
Australia Harry Sawyer
Global Cebu South Korea Lee Jeong-min[17] Trinidad and Tobago Darryl Roberts[18] Serbia Milan Nikolić[19] England Adam Mitter[19] Spain Rufo Sánchez[20]
Brazil Wesley dos Santos[16][21]
JPV Marikina Japan Ryuki Kozawa[22] Japan Keigo Moriyasu[23][22] Japan Atsushi Shimono[22] Japan Tsubasa Suzuki[22]
Kaya–Iloilo Ghana Jordan Mintah[24] Senegal Robert Lopez Mendy[24] Japan Masanari Omura[24] Ghana Alfred Osei
Stallion Laguna Switzerland Carlo Polli South Korea Ko Kyung-joon[25] Senegal Abou Mouhamed Sy N/A Switzerland Gabriele Mascazzini[25]
Japan Ken Kensei[25]
  • ^1 Foreign players who left their clubs or were de-registered from playing squad due to medical issues or other matters.
  • ^2 Also a holder of AFC nationality (Australia)
Foreign players by confederation
AFC  Japan (8),  South Korea (3),  Australia3 (3)
CAF  Ghana (2),  Senegal (2)
CONCACAF  Trinidad and Tobago (1)
CONMEBOL  Brazil (2)
OFC  Papua New Guinea3 (1)
UEFA  Spain (4),   Switzerland (2),  Serbia (1),  England (1)
  • ^3 Brad McDonald has both Australia and Papua New Guinea FIFA nationality.

League table[]

Pos Team
  • v
  • t
 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) Champion
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[]

Team ╲ Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425
Ceres–Negros1111111111111111111111111
Kaya–Iloilo3544332222222222222222222
Davao Aguilas3332223333444333333344333
Stallion Laguna5465544444333444444433444
JPV Marikina1223455555555555555555555
Global Cebu5656666666666666666666666
AFC Champions League Preliminary Round/AFC Cup Group Stage
Updated to match(es) played on 30 August 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 30 August 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]

Season statistics[]

Scoring[]

Top goalscorers[]

As of 30 August 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 Switzerland Carlo Polli Stallion Laguna 9
Philippines Jovin Bedic Kaya–Iloilo
Philippines Mike Ott Ceres–Negros
9 Philippines Jesus Melliza Stallion Laguna 8
Philippines J Baguioro JPV Marikina
South Korea Kim Sung-Min Davao Aguilas

Top assists[]

As of 30 August 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 Manuel Ott Ceres-Negros 9
Philippines Jovin Bedic Kaya–Iloilo
6 Philippines Jesus Melliza Stallion Laguna 8
Philippines Matthew Hartmann Davao Aguilas
Japan Keigo Moriyasu JPV Marikina
9 Senegal Robert Lopez Mendy Kaya–Iloilo 6
10 Philippines James Younghusband Davao Aguilas 5
Philippines Patrick Reichelt Ceres-Negros
Philippines Fitch Arboleda Stallion Laguna
Philippines OJ Porteria Ceres-Negros
Philippines Stephan Schröck Ceres-Negros
Philippines Tyler Matas Davao Aguilas

Own goals[]

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

Hat-tricks[]

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

(H) – Home ; (A) – Away

Clean sheets[]

As of 29 August 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 Nick O'Donnell Davao Aguilas 2
Philippines Ronilo Bayan Jr. Davao Aguilas
Philippines Felipe Tripulca Stallion Laguna
7 Philippines Ref Cuaresma Kaya–Iloilo 1
Philippines Benito Rosalia Stallion Laguna
Philippines Hayeson Pepito Stallion Laguna
Philippines Nelson Gasic JPV Marikina
Philippines Zach Banzon Kaya–Iloilo

Discipline[]

Red cards[]

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

External links[]

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