2017 Philippines Football League
The 2017 Philippines Football League was the inaugural season of the Philippines Football League (PFL), the professional football league of the Philippines. The league was officially launched on 21 April 2017 at Shangri-La at the Fort in Taguig, while the first match of the season was played on 6 May. The PFL replaced the Metro Manila-based United Football League (UFL), which served as the country's "de facto" top-level football league from 2009 to 2016. The league was made up of 8 clubs: 6 from the UFL (Ceres, Global, JP Voltes, Kaya, Loyola  Meralco Sparks, and Stallion) and 2 expansion teams (Davao Aguilas and Ilocos United). Each club played the others four times (a home-and-away quadruple round-robin format), twice at their home ground and twice at that of their opponents', for 28 games. The teams that finished the season in the top four entered a playoff tournament to determine the league's champion. The 2017 season was the only PFL season to feature a playoff finals. The top four teams of the league's regular season, which concluded on 28 November, progressed to the playoff finals, dubbed as the Finals  Series. The Finals Series was held between 2 and 16 December and consisted of a two-legged semifinals, a third-place playoff, and the final match. The final took place on 16 December at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod, between Ceres–Negros and Global Cebu. Ceres–Negros won the match 4–1 and became the first club to win the PFL title. Teams. On 24 November 2016, it was reported that at least five teams will join the inaugural season of the PFL. Bacolod-based Ceres–Negros F.C. reportedly will move to Davao City, and a new club will be formed  to represent Bacolod or the Negros Island Region. However at the time of the report, nothing has been confirmed by the club or the Philippine Football Federation (PFF). Ceres later denied reports of stating that they will field a second team supposedly to be based in Davao City. Ceres, Global, Loyola, Stallion, as well as Kaya were confirmed by the PFF on 29 November 2016 as official clubs for the inaugural 2017 season and is projecting that three other clubs will join. By December 2016, JP Voltes joined the list of confirmed 2017 PFL clubs. It was reported that a  total of ten clubs expressed interest to join the league, eight of which have submitted documents required by the PFF according to PFF General Secretary Ed Gastanes. Green Archers United and a club owned by seaport management firm International Container Terminal Services, were the two clubs which withdrew their bid to participate in the league. By 1 April 2017, the PFF has confirmed the participation of 8 clubs. Stadiums and locations. The PFF confirmed the following clubs with their localities and stadiums that will comprise the inaugural season of the PFL. 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. Regular season. Results. The eight clubs will play each other four times for twenty eight matches each during the regular season. Second round. Match abandoned at halftime due to deteriorating pitch condition by way of adverse weather. As per PFL rules, final score for matches abandoned at halftime and the second half would be the score of  the game just prior to abandonment. Finals Series. The top four teams from the Regular Season qualified and are seeded for the Finals Series' Semifinals. The 1st and 4th ranked clubs of the Regular Season are seeded in the first semifinals while the 2nd and 3rd ranked club were seeded in the second semifinals. The winners of the two-legged semifinals contested for the league title in the final while the losers played in a third place playoff. Semi-finals. All times are in Philippine Standard Time (UTC+8) Meralco Manila vs Global Cebu (1st vs 4th). "Global Cebu won 3–2  on aggregate." Ceres–Negros vs Kaya–Makati (2nd vs 3rd). "Ceres–Negros won 3–1 on aggregate." 4 goals were assisted for Meralco Manila during the same season. Season statistics. Scoring. Top assists. 2 goals were assisted for Global Cebu during the same season. (H) – Home ; (A) – Away Hat-tricks. Player scored four goals Discipline. Red cards. Additionally, players may be suspended for more than a single match due to violations of the PFF Disciplinary Code. The Disciplinary Committee on November 7, 2017 imposed match suspensions and fines to players due to misconduct towards officials and/or other players. References. Notes References