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.
Season | 2018 |
---|---|
Dates | March 3 – August 25, 2018 |
Champions | Ceres–Negros 2nd title |
AFC Champions League | Ceres–Negros |
Matches played | 75 |
Goals scored | 289 (3.85 per match) |
Top goalscorer | Robert Lopez Mendy (18 goals) |
Best goalkeeper | Toni Doblas (7 clean sheets) |
Biggest home win | Ceres–Negros 7–1 Global Cebu (July 21) Kaya–Iloilo 6–0 Global Cebu (August 11) |
Biggest away win | Global Cebu 1–11 JPV Marikina (August 1) |
Highest scoring | Global Cebu 1–11 JPV Marikina (August 1) |
Longest winning run | Ceres–Negros (April 4 – May 12) (5 matches) |
Longest unbeaten run | Ceres–Negros (May 23 – June 20) Stallion Laguna (July 14 – Aug 25) (8 matches) |
Longest winless run | Global Cebu (May 27 – Aug 25) (17 matches) |
Longest losing run | Global Cebu (July 21 – Aug 25) (13 matches) |
Highest attendance | 4,681 Ceres–Negros 2–1 Kaya-Iloilo (April 4) |
Lowest attendance | 0 (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
editFor 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
editThe 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
editOn February 6, 2018, Kaya F.C. transferred from Makati to Iloilo.[7]
The following are alternate home venues for Davao Aguilas, Global Cebu, and JPV Marikina as approved by Liga Futbol, Inc.[8]
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|
Personnel and kits
editTeam | 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
editTeam | 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
editA 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), Südkorea (4), Australien3 (2) |
CAF | Ghana (1), Senegal (2), Kamerun (1) |
CONCACAF | Trinidad und Tobago (1) |
CONMEBOL | Brasilien (1) |
OFC | Papua-Neuguinea3 (1) |
UEFA | Spanien (3), Schweiz (1), Serbien (1), England (1) |
- ^3 Brad McDonald has both Australia and Papua New Guinea FIFA nationality.
League table
editPos | 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 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal Difference; 3) Goals Scored
(C) Champions
Notes:
- ^ 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]
- ^ 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
editAFC Champions League Preliminary Round/AFC Cup Group Stage |
Results by round
editW = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
Results
editThe 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
editScoring
editTop 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) | 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
editRed 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- ^ 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.
- ^ "2018 PFL Season set to begin March 3". Rappler. January 31, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
- ^ "Ceres captures back to back PFL titles". Philippine Daily Inquirer. July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "PFF Club Licensing Grants Club License To Eight PFL Clubs". Philippine Football Federation. November 19, 2017. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
- ^ Go, Beatrice (January 8, 2018). "PH football club Meralco Manila ceases operations". Rappler. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Advisory: Stadium Status of Davao, Marikina, Cebu". Philippines Football League. Liga Futbol, Inc. April 26, 2018. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
- ^ Diaz, Ray Charlie (January 11, 2018). "Global Cebu appoints Allado as interim coach anew". Retrieved January 11, 2018.
- ^ a b Biantan, Jack (May 29, 2018). "Maro Out, Anzures In For Davao Aguilas FC". Pinoy Football. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
- ^ Cebu, Sun Star (August 4, 2018). "Allado leaves Global Cebu". Retrieved August 4, 2018.
- ^ Foxsportsasia (August 20, 2018). "Global FC's revamp points to a promising future". Retrieved August 20, 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "Ceres-Negros FC retains championship core in 2018 campaign". Ceres-Negros FC. January 1, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
- ^ a b c Sevilla, Jeremiah (January 26, 2018). "Global Cebu signs 3 ex-Meralco stalwarts". Manila Times. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
- ^ a b Averilla, Earl (June 1, 2018). "Brazilian defender Wesley Dos Santos Rodrigues joins Davao Aguilas". Fox Sports. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
- ^ Averilla, Earl (July 2018). "Super Swoop: Davao Aguilas unveil new players in transfer window". Fox Sports Philippines. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Key signings boost Global Cebu roster". Cebu Daily News. January 31, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
- ^ "Striker Rufo Sanchez leaves Global Cebu". Fox Sports PH. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- ^ Averilla, Earl (May 21, 2018). "Wesley Rodrigues bids goodbye to his tenure with Global Cebu". Fox Sports PH. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d "JPV Marikina 2018 Player Roster". Facebook. JPV Marikina FC. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c Saldajeno, Ivan (January 6, 2018). "Laguna announces signings for PFL 2018". Dugout Philippines. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
- ^ "Point Deduction for Stallion Laguna FC". Philippines Football League. Liga Futbol Inc. April 12, 2018. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
- ^ "Point Deduction for JPV Marikina FC". Philippines Football League. Liga Futbol, Inc. July 31, 2018. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
- ^ "JPV Marikina 1–4 Kaya FC-Iloilo". PFL. May 5, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
- ^ "Kaya FC-Iloilo 4–2 Davao-Aguilas". PFL. May 20, 2018. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
- ^ "Kaya FC-Iloilo 4–2 JPV Marikina". PFL. June 27, 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- ^ "Kaya FC-Iloilo 4–2 Stallion Laguna". PFL. July 4, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
- ^ "Ceres-Negros 4–2 Global Cebu". PFL. July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
- ^ Averilla, Earl (August 1, 2018). "JPV Marikina rack up double digit goals against keeper-less Global". FOX Sports PH. Retrieved August 9, 2018.