2019 Philippines Football League

Philippines Football League
Season2019
DatesMay 25 – October 19, 2019
ChampionsCeres–Negros
3rd title
AFC Champions LeagueCeres–Negros
AFC CupKaya–Iloilo
Matches played84
Goals scored322 (3.83 per match)
Top goalscorerJordan Mintah
(31 goals)
Best goalkeeperRoland Müller
(10 clean sheets)
Biggest home winCeres–Negros 12–0 Philippine Air Force
(July 13)
Biggest away winGlobal Cebu 0–13 Ceres–Negros
(August 28)
Highest scoringGlobal Cebu 0–13 Ceres–Negros
(August 28)
Longest winning runCeres–Negros[1] (May 29 – Sept 28)
(17 matches)
Longest unbeaten runCeres–Negros (May 25 – Oct 19)
(24 matches)
Longest winless runGlobal Cebu (June 29 – Oct 19)
(20 matches)
Longest losing runPhilippine Air Force (Sep 25 – Oct 19)
(7 matches)
Highest attendance906
Philippine Air Force 1–2 Kaya–Iloilo
(September 22)
2018
2020
All statistics correct as of October 12, 2019.

The 2019 Philippines Football League was the third season of the Philippines Football League (PFL), the professional football league of the Philippines. Ceres–Negros are the defending champions. This marks the revival of the Philippines Football League as the league folded after the 2018 season to give way for the Philippine Premier League, intended as a successor league to the PFL, which proved to be short-lived.

The 2019 season started on May 25, 2019,[2][3] and ended on October 19, 2019.[4]

Ceres–Negros won their second title on October 12, 2019, by winning over Green Archers United 3–1 with two matches to spare.[5] On October 19, 2019, Ceres beat rivals Kaya–Iloilo 3–0 to complete the first 3-peat in PFL History and by doing so got their 22nd PFL victory, leading them to the first invincibles this season.

Teams

Seven teams participated in the 2019 season, including three debutants, Green Archers, Mendiola, and Philippine Air Force.[2]

Team Location Stadium Capacity
Ceres Negros Bacolod Panaad Stadium [note 1] 9,825
Green Archers United Lipa, Batangas Aboitiz Pitch 1,500
Global Cebu[note 2] Cebu City Cebu City Sports Complex[note 3]
Kaya–Iloilo Iloilo City Iloilo Sports Complex 7,000
Mendiola 1991
Philippine Air Force
Stallion Laguna Biñan, Laguna Biñan Football Stadium 2,580

Personnel and kits

Team Head coach Captain Kit manufacturer Sponsors
Ceres–Negros Risto Vidaković Carli de Murga Grand Sport Ceres Liner
Global Cebu Andrew Piesse Jerry Barbaso Chronos Athletics MMC Sportz, Aquafalls Water Station
Green Archers United Joel Villarino Tating Pasilan Cutz Apparel Globe Telecom, Orient Freight International
Kaya–Iloilo Noel Marcaida Jovin Bedic Adidas LBC, Fitness First
Mendiola 1991 Dan Padernal Aron Altiche FAT Gulf Oil Philippines
Philippine Air Force Leo Jaena Yanti Barsales Defy Athletics Elan Vita
Stallion Laguna Ernest Nierras Ruben Doctora Nassau Giligan's Restaurant

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 Robert Lopez Mendy Takashi Odawara Bienvenido Marañón Súper Mahir Karić
Blake Powell
Global Cebu Kenneth Obananaya Anthony Okoh Emmanuel Otuyemi
Green Archers United Stephen Appiah Henri Bandeken Kim Hyun-kyoon Freddy Mbang Joel Okono
Kaya–Iloilo Jordan Mintah Masanari Omura Alfred Osei Darryl Roberts
Mendiola 1991 Hamed Hajimehdi Souleyman Ndepe Dini Ouattara Ricardo Sendra
Philippine Air Force Boris Moundang Joel Okono
Stallion Laguna Edris Najm Park Jong-cheol Abou Sy Yu Seungpyo Christian Nana
Dong-Hyeon Kim
Andoni Suescun

Notes

1.^ Former players only include players who left after either the start of the 2019 season or the 2019 Copa Paulino Alcantara.
Foreign players by confederation
AFC Japan (2), South Korea (3), Iran (1)
CAF Ghana (3), Cameroon (5), Senegal (2), Nigeria (3), Ivory Coast (1)
CONCACAF Trinidad and Tobago (1), Canada (1)
CONMEBOL Argentina (1)
UEFA Spain (2)

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Ceres–Negros (C) 24 22 2 0 99 12 +87 68 Qualification for AFC Champions League preliminary round 1[a]
2 Kaya–Iloilo 24 18 2 4 60 16 +44 56 Qualification for AFC Cup group stage[b]
3 Stallion Laguna 24 11 6 7 54 25 +29 39
4 Green Archers United 24 10 5 9 42 37 +5 35
5 Mendiola 1991 24 6 5 13 34 54 −20 23
6 Philippine Air Force 24 3 2 19 18 85 −67 11
7 Global Cebu 24 1 4 19 15 92 −77 7
Source: PFL
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions
Notes:
  1. ^ If the league champions cannot qualify for the AFC Champions League group stage, they will enter the AFC Cup group stage.
  2. ^ Since league champions Ceres–Negros were also Copa Paulino Alcantara winners, the league runners-up qualified for the AFC Cup group stage.

Positions by round

Team ╲ Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324
Ceres–Negros222221111111111111111111
Kaya–Iloilo111111222222222222222222
Stallion Laguna254343333333333333333333
Green Archers United433334334444444444444444
Mendiola 1991445665555555555555555555
Philippine Air Force465667777666666666666666
Global Cebu467556666666777777777777
AFC Champions League Preliminary Round/AFC Cup Group Stage
Updated to match(es) played on October 12, 2019. Source:

Results by round

Team ╲ Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324
Ceres–NegrosDWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWDWWWWWW
Global CebuLLLWLLLLLDLLDLLDDLLLLLLL
Green Archers UnitedLWWDWLDWLLDWLDWLWDLWWLLW
Kaya-IloiloWWWWWDLWWLWWWWWLWWDWWWWL
Mendiola 1991LDLLLWLWLWLLLDLDDWDLLWWL
Philippine Air ForceLLDLLLLLLWLLWLLDLWLLLLLL
Stallion LagunaDLWWDWLWWDWLLDWWDLWDWLLW
Updated to match(es) played on October 19, 2019. Source:
W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Results

The seven clubs will play each other in two rounds of home and away matches. 84 league matches will be played in total.

Season statistics

Scoring

Top goalscorers

As of October 19, 2019
Rank Player Club Goals
1 Jordan Mintah Kaya–Iloilo 31
2 Bienve Marañón Ceres–Negros 30
3 Robert Lopez Mendy Ceres–Negros 17
4 Mike Ott Ceres–Negros 14
5 Jesus Melliza Stallion Laguna 11
6 Fitch Arboleda Stallion Laguna 9
Jim Ashley Flores Mendiola 1991
8 Abou Sy Stallion Laguna 8
9 Stephen Appiah Green Archers United 7
John Celiz Green Archers United

Top assists

As of October 19, 2019
Rank Player Club Assists
1 Stephan Schröck Ceres–Negros 21
2 Bienve Marañón Ceres-Negros 10
3 Paolo Bugas Green Archers United 8
Hamed Hajimehdi Mendiola 1991
Robert Lopez Mendy Ceres–Negros
6 OJ Porteria Ceres-Negros 7
7 Jordan Mintah Kaya–Iloilo 6
Darryl Roberts Kaya–Iloilo
9 Fitch Arboleda Stallion Laguna 5
Jovin Bedic Kaya–Iloilo
Dylan de Bruycker Ceres-Negros
Jim Ashley Flores Mendiola 1991
Angélo Marasigan Ceres-Negros
Jason Panhay Kaya–Iloilo

Own goals

As of October 16, 2019
Rank Player Club Own
goals
1 Carli de Murga Ceres-Negros 1
Resty Gumban Green Archers United
James Dorego Global Cebu
Aljo Zabala Mendiola 1991
Freddy Mbang Green Archers United

Hat-tricks

As of October 9, 2019
Player Club Result Against Date Ref
Jordan Mintah Kaya–Iloilo 4–0 (H) Green Archers United May 25, 2019 [8]
Bienve Marañón Ceres–Negros 5–0 (A) Philippine Air Force May 29, 2019 [9]
Bienve Marañón4 Ceres–Negros 8–0 (A) Global Cebu June 1, 2019 [10]
Chima Uzoka Stallion Laguna 6–1 (H) Mendiola 1991 June 15, 2019 [11]
Jordan Mintah Kaya–Iloilo 6–3 (A) June 19, 2019 [12]
Jimuel Ariola Green Archers United 3–4 (H) Ceres–Negros July 3, 2019 [13]
Bienve Marañón Ceres–Negros 12–0 (H) Philippine Air Force July 13, 2019 [14]
Stephan Schröck
Mike Ott4
John Celiz4 Green Archers United 9–0 (A) Global Cebu July 14, 2019 [15]
Jim Ashley Flores Mendiola 1991 5–2 (A) Green Archers United July 24, 2019 [16]
Jordan Mintah Kaya–Iloilo 5–0 (H) Mendiola 1991 July 27, 2019 [17]
Robert Lopez Mendy4 Ceres-Negros 5–2 (A) August 10, 2019 [18]
Robert Lopez Mendy Ceres-Negros 13–0 (A) Global Cebu August 28, 2019 [19]
Bienve Marañón4
Mike Ott
Fitch Arboleda Stallion Laguna 7–0 (A) Green Archers United August 31, 2019 [20]
Jordan Mintah Kaya–Iloilo 5–1 (H) Global Cebu September 7, 2019 [21]
Robert Lopez Mendy Ceres-Negros 7–0 (H) Philippine Air Force September 14, 2019 [22]
Jordan Mintah4 Kaya–Iloilo 5–0 (H) September 25, 2019 [23]
Jesus Melliza Stallion Laguna 9–1 (H) Global Cebu [23]
Jesus Melliza Stallion Laguna 4–1 (H) Philippine Air Force October 4, 2019 [24]
Jordan Mintah4 Kaya–Iloilo 5–1 (H) Mendiola 1991 October 9, 2019
Note

(H) – Home; (A) – Away

4 Player scored four goals

Clean sheets

As of October 19, 2019
Rank Player Club Clean
sheets
1 Roland Müller Ceres-Negros 10
2 Henri Bandeken Green Archers United 8
Louie Casas Kaya–Iloilo
4 Dini Ouattara Mendiola 1991 4
Nathanael Villanueva Kaya–Iloilo
6 Hayeson Pepito Stallion Laguna 3
7 Florencio Badelic Jr. Ceres-Negros 2
Ronilo Bayan Jr. Ceres-Negros
Patrick Deyto Stallion Laguna
Nelson Gasic Stallion Laguna
Ray Joyel Green Archers United

Discipline

Red cards

As of October 12, 2019
Rank Player Club Red Cards
1 Freddy Mbang Green Archers United 2
Jordan Mintah Kaya-Iloilo
Franco de la Torre Mendiola 1991
Kenneth Dolloso Philippine Air Force
5 OJ Porteria Ceres-Negros 1
Resty Gumban Green Archers United
Arnel Amita Kaya-Iloilo
Benito Rosalia Stallion Laguna
Jovin Bedic Kaya-Iloilo
Souleyman Ndepe Mendiola 1991
Antonio Albor Philippine Air Force
Geve Cadiz Philippine Air Force
Sean Kane Ceres-Negros
Súper Ceres-Negros
John Delariarte Philippine Air Force

Awards

The following awards were given at the conclusion of the tournament.[25]

Award Winner Club
Golden Ball Stephan Schröck Ceres-Negros
Golden Boot Jordan Mintah Kaya-Iloilo
Golden Glove Roland Müller Ceres-Negros

Notes

  1. ^ While the Panaad Stadium is the designated home venue of Ceres Negros, no PFL match was played at the stadium for the 2019 season.[6]
  2. ^ Referred to as Global Cebu, the club's old name, by the Philippine Football League in official league communications due to licensing issues, the club refers to itself as Global Makati and the crest present on the team's actual kits uses the Makati name.
  3. ^ As Global Makati, the club had nominated the University of Makati Stadium as their home venue. However, no PFL match was played at the venue due to the club's licensing issues.

References

  1. ^ "Fox Sports".
  2. ^ a b "Philippines Football League featuring seven clubs to return on May 25". Fox Sports Asia. May 16, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  3. ^ Del Carmen, Lorenzo (May 4, 2019). "PFF sinks PPL, promises to revive PFL". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  4. ^ Murillo, Michael Angelo (May 24, 2019). "Philippines Football League Season 3 kicks off". BusinessWorld. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
  5. ^ "Ceres-Negros FC secures third straight PFL title". BusinessWorld. October 13, 2019. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  6. ^ Buenafe, Nida (November 19, 2019). "Ceres-Negros FC 'pulls out' from Panaad". Visayan Daily Star. Archived from the original on November 23, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  7. ^ Saldajeno, Ivan (July 6, 2019). "Rain washes out stallion ceres match". Dugout Philippines. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
  8. ^ "Kaya Iloilo pummels GAU at start of PFL '19". Dugout Philippines. May 26, 2019. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
  9. ^ "PFL: Ceres bounces back". Rappler. May 29, 2019. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
  10. ^ "PFL: Ceres huge win". BusinessWorld. June 3, 2019. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  11. ^ "PFL: Stallion routs Mendiola". BusinessWorld. June 16, 2019. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  12. ^ "Global Makati notches 1st PFL win; Kaya Iloilo stays perfect". PNA. June 19, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  13. ^ "PFL: Ceres-Negros defeats Green Archers in fire-fight". BusinessWorld. July 4, 2019. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
  14. ^ "Ceres-Negros drops 12 on Air Force". Dugout. July 13, 2019. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  15. ^ "Green Archers climb the PFL ladder with big win over Global". BusinessWorld. July 14, 2019. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  16. ^ "Mendiola deals GAU huge beating". Dugout Philippines. July 24, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  17. ^ "Airmen now in the win column of the PFL; Kaya routs Mendiola". Business World. July 27, 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
  18. ^ "Ceres Negros pips gallant Mendiola". Dugout Philippines. August 10, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  19. ^ "Ceres Negros trashes Global Makati in PFL record rout". Dugout Philippines. August 28, 2019. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  20. ^ "PH Football League: Stallion Laguna blanks Green Archers". Panay News. September 3, 2019. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  21. ^ "Kaya FC-Iloilo books fifth straight win in PFL". BusinessWorld News. September 8, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  22. ^ "Ceres stays in top form with 7-0 rout of Air Force". BusinessWorld News. September 15, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  23. ^ a b "Melliza hat trick tows Stallion Laguna to biggest win of PFL '19 vs Global Makati". Dugout Philippines. September 25, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  24. ^ "Stallion race past Airmen". pinoyfootball.com. October 4, 2019. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  25. ^ Saldajeno, Ivan Stewart (October 20, 2019). "Ceres Negros finishes PFL season undefeated". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on November 7, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2019.