Wikipedia

2018 Philippines Football League

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.

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.

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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

Personnel and kits edit

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

Coaching changes edit

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

Foreign players edit

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   Toni Doblas[13]   Bienvenido Marañón[14]   Blake Powell   Súper[14]   Takumi Uesato
Davao Aguilas   Kim Sungmin[15]   Brad McDonald 2 3   Tahj Minniecon   Wesley dos Santos[16]   Takashi Odawara[15]
  Harry Sawyer
  Diego Alves[17]
Global Cebu   Lee Jeong-min[15]   Adam Mitter[18]   Milan Nikolić[18]   Darryl Roberts[19]   Rufo Sánchez[20]
  Wesley dos Santos[16][21]
JPV Marikina   Keigo Moriyasu[22][23]   Atsushi Shimono[23]   Tsubasa Suzuki[23]   Takumi Uesato   Ryuki Kozawa[23]
Kaya–Iloilo   Serge Kaole   Robert Lopez Mendy[24]   Masanari Omura[24]   Alfred Osei   Jordan Mintah[24]
Stallion Laguna   Ko Kyung-joon[25]   Carlo Polli   Abou Sy   Yu Sung-Na   Gabriele Mascazzini[25]
  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 edit

Pos Team
 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 edit

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 August 30, 2018. Source: Philippines Football League

Results by round edit

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 edit

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 edit

Scoring edit

Top goalscorers edit

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

Top assists edit

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

Own goals edit

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

Hat-tricks edit

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

(H) – Home ; (A) – Away

Clean sheets edit

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

Discipline edit

Red cards edit

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

References edit

  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.

External links edit

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