2024–25 Philippines Football League

Philippines Football League
Season2024–25
DatesSeptember 28, 2024 – April 13, 2025
ChampionsKaya–Iloilo
3rd title
Champions League TwoKaya–Iloilo
Manila Digger
ASEAN Club ChampionshipDynamic Herb Cebu
Matches played90
Goals scored307 (3.41 per match)
Top goalscorerSaikou Ceesay (16 goals)
Biggest home winKaya–Iloilo 9–1 Mendiola 1991
Biggest away winMendiola 1991 0–10 Manila Digger
Highest scoringKaya–Iloilo 9–1 Mendiola 1991
Philippine YNT 1–9 Manila Digger
Mendiola 1991 0–10 Manila Digger
Longest winning runKaya–Iloilo (8 matches)
Longest unbeaten runKaya–Iloilo (9 matches)
Longest winless runMendiola 1991 (11 matches)
Longest losing runPhilippine YNT
(7 matches)
2024
All statistics correct as of 13 April 2025.

The 2024–25 Philippines Football League was the seventh season of the Philippines Football League (PFL), the professional football league of the Philippines. Ten teams participated this season which began on September 28, 2024 and ended on April 13, 2025. The Finals Series, a distinct competition featuring the top 4 teams in the league table was held after the conclusion of the regular season.

Defending champions Kaya–Iloilo won their third consecutive league title.[1][2]

Format changes

The league would shift once more to an inter-year format, reverting to a double round-robin that would see the teams play each other twice. The season would also see the return of the Finals Series that was previously implemented in the 2017 season, with the top four qualifying for a knockout round series that would culminate in a final.[3] However, in contrast to the 2017 season, the table topper at the end of the league's regular season will be declared the league champion and earn automatic qualification for the group stage of the 2025–26 AFC Champions League Two, with second place also earning a qualifying play-off spot in the same tournament.

Qualification for the 2025–26 ASEAN Club Championship will be determined through the Finals Series.[4]

Teams

Ten teams from the previous season were set to participate for the 2024–25 season.[5][3][6] Don Bosco Garelli, Manila Montet, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Army, and Tuloy would not participate in the season. Furthermore, before the season began, United City withdrew from the competition citing financial issues.[7]

The league announced the roster of teams in early September, also announced the participation of the Philippine national youth team as the PFF Developmental Team,[5][6] similar to the previous Azkals Development Team that had participated in the PFL from 2020 to 2023.

Team Location[V 1]
Davao Aguilas Tagum, Davao del Norte
Dynamic Herb Cebu Talisay, Cebu
Kaya–Iloilo Iloilo City, Iloilo
Loyola Manila, Metro Manila
Maharlika Taguig Taguig, Metro Manila
Manila Digger Taguig, Metro Manila
Mendiola 1991 Imus, Cavite
Philippine YNT Carmona, Cavite
One Taguig Taguig, Metro Manila
Stallion Laguna Biñan, Laguna
Notes
  1. ^ General location where the club is based in. Only select clubs have their own/designated home stadium.

Stadiums

For the first round of the league, matches were mainly held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, with the Dynamic Herb Sports Complex, the home venue of Dynamic Herb Cebu, also hosting the club's match against One Taguig on November 3.[8][9]

In January 2025, Rizal Memorial Stadium went under pitch renovation in preparation for the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers,[10] with the league subsequently splitting the hosting of matches between the UP Diliman Football Field and the Biñan Football Stadium.[11] The Iloilo Sports Complex of Kaya–Iloilo was also used this season.[12]

Manila Quezon City Iloilo City
Rizal Memorial Stadium UP Diliman Football Field Iloilo Sports Complex
Capacity: 12,873 Capacity: 300 Capacity: 7,000
Biñan Talisay, Cebu
Biñan Football Stadium Dynamic Herb Sports Complex
Capacity: 2,580 Capacity: 550
Notes

Personnel and kits

Team Head coach Captain Kit manufacturer Sponsors
Davao Aguilas Aber Ruzgal Dini Ouattara Chronos Athletics University of Makati1, SpeedRegalo2, BRODO2, Wit.id2
Dynamic Herb Cebu Glenn Ramos Florencio Badelic RAD Apparel Leylam1
Kaya–Iloilo Yu Hoshide Audie Menzi LGR Sportswear LBC1
Loyola[13] Paulo Jorge Silva Curt Dizon Chronos Athletics Elan Vita1
Maharlika Taguig Jung Dong-gyu Serge Kaole Chronos Athletics AIA1
Manila Digger[14] Juan Manuel Saez Dean Ebarle UCAN Zealand Metal Corporation1, OKFly2
Mendiola 1991 Yuki Matsuda Hamed Hajimehdi Ropa Vill-Mell Trading2, Mr. Freeze2
One Taguig Vacant Arnel Amita Azkals Sportswear Chooks-to-Go2, PAGSS2, I Love Taguig3
Philippine YNT Sergi Mascarell Harry Nuñez Skechers Skechers1
Stallion Laguna Ernest Nierras Matthew Nierras Blaze Athletics Giligan's Restaurant1, Pythos2, SCID2

Notes:

  1. ^ Located on the front of the shirt.
  2. ^ Located on the back of the shirt.
  3. ^ Located on the sleeves.
  4. ^ Located on the shorts.

Coaching changes

Team Outgoing coach Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming coach Date of appointment
Manila Digger Pong Liman August 31, 2024 Pre-season Oriol Mohedano September 1, 2024
Dynamic Herb Cebu Memiş Özata Mutual consent August 23, 2024 Mustafa Göksu September 5, 2024[15]
Maharlika Taguig Lerche Njang August 2024 Marian Mihail September 26, 2024
Loyola Roxy Dorlas Demoted to assistant manager September 2024 Kim Chul-soo September 28, 2024
Mendiola 1991 Dan Padernal September 2024 Yuki Matsuda September 29, 2024
Manila Digger Oriol Mohedano November 16, 2024 2nd Juan Manuel Saez November 16, 2024
Maharlika Taguig Marian Mihail Change of club ownership January 21, 2025 9th Jung Dong-gyu January 21, 2025[16]
Dynamic Herb Cebu Mustafa Göksu End of contract January 15, 2025 3rd Glenn Ramos February 1, 2025[17]
Loyola Kim Chul-soo Mutual consent November 2024 9th Paulo Jorge Silva February 8, 2025
One Taguig Jovanie Villagracia Resigned April 1, 2025 3rd TBD TBD

Foreign players

Players name in bold indicates the player was registered during the mid-season transfer window.

Team Players Former players1
Davao Aguilas[7] Victor Cabral Gabriel Costa Issa Diallo Syendio Fernanda Yohann Fofana[18] Robert Lopez Mendy Lukman Hussein Bruno Krenkel
Lucas Reis
Salifu Jatta
Dino Tri Laksana
Takuto Miki
Alessandro Riggi
Mun Jun-su Dini Ouattara[18] Salvador Pliego Mantvydas Tikstinskis Zavier Zakarya
Dynamic Herb Cebu[19][20] Yusuf Çekiç[21] Göktuğ Demiroğlu Magson Dourado Rintaro Hama[22] Hiromasa Ishikawa Marius Kore[23] Guytho Mijland[21] Daniel Alemão
Zamoranho Ho-A-Tham[21]
Masaya Kobayashi
Sam Strong
Berke Önde
Ali Yanık[21]
Gabriel Silva Abou Sy[21] Ryoo Togashi
Kaya–Iloilo Ernest Barfo Alfredo Cortez Eric Esso[24] Bandiougou Konate Kaishu Yamazaki Shuto Komaki Akito Saito[25] Walid Birrou
Daizo Horikoshi
Robert Lopez Mendy[26]
Park Yi-young
Loyola Djumaney Burnet Filip Chinzorig Leon Morimoto Koki Narita Natsu Okamoto Anderson Pinto Kazuha Sudo Matt Silva
Nino de Leeuw
Alassane Wade
Maharlika Taguig Franck Anoh Shayan Charalaghi Chen Ting-hao Darlton Digha Serge Kaole Kai Hsiang-lin Desmond Ngai Koffi Bini
John Kamara
Mun Te-su
James Sunday
Sebastian Nielsen Cooper Ross Ahmad Saidy Terence Smith Yu Chun-hsiang
Manila Digger Abner Daniel Ashley Saikou Ceesay Diao Su Jacques Ebene Ousman Gai Modou Joof Yuya Kuriyama
Robert Gingichashvili
Hayato Kame Modou Manneh Ifeanyi Ugwu Dilane Wamba Johnny Wesley
Mendiola 1991[27] Milad Behgandom Edison Castro Nick Fuzesi Robert Gingichashvili Behnam Habibi Marlle Habila Allan Kiggundu Léo Anthony
Mohammad Darabi
Ali Ghamloush
Gustavo
Jangobah Johnson
Kourosh Manesh
Amir Memari
Amir Moayedizadeh
Peyman Nasirizadeh
Hamed Hajimehdi Habes Mubarak Isaac Doka Tarsicio Onyebuchi Park Seo-yeom Shabab Pira Yuta Tochigi
One Taguig Nahuel Amarilla Henri Bandeken Naoto Hiraishi Kofi Kordzi Patrick Lingg Peter Nergaard Junior Ngong Sam
Solomon Okereke So Omae Shoma Sato Tsukasa Shimomura Nicholas Simpson Yusuke Unoki
Philippine YNT No foreign players registered
Stallion Laguna Gabriel Claudio Alonzo del Mundo Stephen Halm Fahmi Ibrahim Lee Seung-won Roberto Llamas Victor Parra Magson Dourado
Jacques Ebene
Cristián Ivanobski
Nicholas Simpson
Terence Smith
Johnny Wesley
Brandon Zambrano
Abraham Placito Ricardo Sendra Yuji Takatoku Juan Trujillo David Yeboah
  • ^1 Former players only include players who left after the start of the 2024–25 season.

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Kaya–Iloilo (C) 18 14 2 2 48 15 +33 44 Qualification for the
2025–26 AFC Champions League Two Group stage
2 Manila Digger 18 14 1 3 56 10 +46 43 Qualification for the
2025–26 AFC Champions League Two Qualifying play-offs
3 One Taguig 18 10 3 5 39 13 +26 33
4 Dynamic Herb Cebu 18 9 4 5 33 18 +15 31 Qualification for the
2025–26 ASEAN Club Championship Qualifying play-offs
[a]
5 Stallion Laguna 18 8 3 7 36 25 +11 27
6 Davao Aguilas 18 7 4 7 24 16 +8 25
7 Maharlika Taguig 18 5 3 10 21 37 −16 18
8 Loyola 18 5 2 11 20 39 −19 17
9 Philippine YNT 18 3 4 11 16 49 −33 13
10 Mendiola 1991 18 1 2 15 14 85 −71 5
Source: Matchday+
(C) Champions
Notes:

Positions by round

Team ╲ Round123456789101112131415161718
Davao Aguilas346666667776666666
Dynamic Herb Cebu113444353335554544
Kaya–Iloilo532111111111111111
Loyola988998776667777778
Maharlika Taguig867779998888888887
Manila Digger654222222222222222
Mendiola 1991101010101010101010101010101010101010
One Taguig475533434443333333
Philippine YNT799887889999999999
Stallion Laguna221355545554445455
Finals Series
Source: PFL

Results by round

Team \ Round 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Davao Aguilas W D L L W L L W L L W W W D L D W D
Dynamic Herb Cebu W W L D W W D L W L W L D W W L W D
Kaya–Iloilo D W W W W W W W W L W W L W W W D W
Loyola L L W L L W D W W W L L L D L L L L
Maharlika Taguig L W L D L L D L W D L L L W L W L W
Manila Digger L W W W W W L W W W W W L W W W D W
Mendiola 1991 L L L L L L D L L L L W L D L L L L
One Taguig W L W D W W L W L W L W D W D L W W
Philippine YNT L L D W L W L L L L L L L D D D W L
Stallion Laguna W W W L L L W W D L W W D D L W L L

Results

Home \ Away DAV DHC KAY LFC MAH MAD MEN PYT TAG STA
Davao Aguilas 2–3 1–1 0–1 0–2 0–1 3–0 0–0 1–2 1–1
Dynamic Herb Cebu 1–1 1–2 3–1 3–0 0–1 3–1 4–0 0–0[a] 1–0
Kaya–Iloilo 0–1 3–1 3–2[b] 4–1 1–1 9–1 4–1 2–0 2–0
Loyola 0–3[c] 2–2 0–1 1–4 0–5 0–1 2–0 0–2 2–2
Maharlika Taguig 0–4 0–1 1–2 0–1 1–5[d] 3–3 0–0 0–5 1–4
Manila Digger 1–0 2–1 1–0 4–0 0–1 4–0 7–1 1–3 0–1
Mendiola 1991 0–3 0–6 2–6 2–3 0–5 0–10 2–2 0–5 0–6
Philippine YNT 3–1 0–2 0–2 2–1 1–2 1–9 3–1[e] 1–1 2–3
One Taguig 0–2 0–0 0–1 5–1 3–0 0–1 7–0 1–0 0–2
Stallion Laguna 0–1[f] 3–1 1–5 0–3 0–0 0–3 8–1 4–0 1–2
Source: PFL
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.
Notes:
  1. ^ Match was originally scheduled for October 27 but was postponed to November 3 due to Tropical Storm Trami (Kristine).[9]
  2. ^ Match was originally scheduled for October 27 but was postponed to November 13 due to Tropical Storm Trami (Kristine).[28]
  3. ^ Match was initially scheduled for September 28 as the opening match of the league,[29] but was postponed.[30] The league later deemed the result a 3–0 win in favor of Davao.[31][32]
  4. ^ Match was originally scheduled for October 26 but was postponed to November 12 due to Tropical Storm Trami (Kristine).[28]
  5. ^ Match was originally scheduled for October 26 but was postponed to November 12 due to Tropical Storm Trami (Kristine).[28]
  6. ^ Match was originally scheduled for October 27 but was postponed to November 13 due to Tropical Storm Trami (Kristine).[28]

Season statistics

Top goalscorers

As of 13 April 2025[33]
Rank Player Team Goals
1 Saikou Ceesay Manila Digger 16
2 Modou Manneh Manila Digger 12
3 Shuto Komaki Kaya–Iloilo 11
Griffin McDaniel Stallion Laguna
5 Rico Andes Loyola 9
Ousman Gai Manila Digger
7 Gabriel Costa Davao Aguilas 8
Tsukasa Shimomura One Taguig
Abou Sy Dynamic Herb Cebu
10 Robert Lopez Mendy Kaya–Iloilo
Davao Aguilas
7
Junior Ngong Sam One Taguig

Top assists

As of 13 April 2025[34]
Rank Player Team Assists
1 Shuto Komaki Kaya–Iloilo 7
2 Eric Giganto Manila Digger 6
Modou Manneh Manila Digger
Ziggy Taningco Kaya–Iloilo
Junior Ngong Sam One Taguig
3 Oliver Bias One Taguig 5
Ousman Gai Manila Digger

Own goals

As of 13 April 2024
Rank Player Team Own
goals
1 Pete Forrosuelo Loyola 1
James Sunday Maharlika Taguig

Hat-tricks

As of 1 March 2025
Player Team Result Against Date
Saikou Ceesay Manila Digger 4–0 (H) Loyola 9 November 2024
Shuto Komaki Kaya–Iloilo 9–1 (H) Mendiola 1991 23 November 2024
Ahmad Saidy Maharlika Taguig 3–3 (H) 30 November 2024
Griffin McDaniel4 Stallion Laguna 8–1 (H) 1 February 2025
Saikou Ceesay6 Manila Digger 9–1 (A) Philippine YNT 2 February 2025
Dilane Wamba 10–0 (A) Mendiola 1991 17 February 2025
Jacques Ebene4 7–1 (H) Philippine YNT 1 March 2025
Note

(H) – Home; (A) – Away 4 Player scored four goals
6 Player scored six goals

Clean sheets

As of 13 April 2025
Rank Player Team Clean sheets
1 Florencio Badelic Dynamic Herb Cebu 7
2 Michael Asong Manila Digger 6
Dini Ouattara Davao Aguilas
4 Quincy Kammeraad One Taguig 5
Roberto Llamas Stallion Laguna
6 Kenry Balobo Maharlika Taguig 4
Henri Bandeken One Taguig
Yuya Kuriyama Manila Digger
Jessie Semblante Loyola
10 Jhon Betanio Davao Aguilas 3
Alfredo Cortez Kaya–Iloilo

Red cards

As of 6 April 2025
Rank Player Team Red cards
1 Roberto Corsame Dynamic Herb Cebu 2
Eric Esso Kaya–Iloilo
Hamed Hajimehdi Mendiola 1991
4 James Demate Philippine YNT 1
Ousman Gai Manila Digger
Daniel Gadia Dynamic Herb Cebu
Pete Forrosuelo Loyola
Marlle Habila Mendiola 1991
Stephen Halm Stallion Laguna
Fahmi Ibrahim Stallion Laguna
Allan Machado Davao Aguilas
Modou Manneh Manila Digger
Mun Jun-su Davao Aguilas
Shabab Pira Mendiola 1991
Abraham Placito Stallion Laguna
Lucas Reis Davao Aguilas
John Renz Saldivar Maharlika Taguig
Nicholas Simpson Stallion Laguna
Kart Talaroc Davao Aguilas
Ryoo Togashi Dynamic Herb Cebu
Juan Trujillo Stallion Laguna
Reynald Villareal Davao Aguilas

Awards

The following awards were given to players after the conclusion of the regular season.[35] The awardees were presented large placards in lieu of the customary trophies, a move which received negative reception online.[36][37]

Award Winner Club
Golden Ball Shuto Komaki Kaya–Iloilo
Golden Boot Saikou Ceesay Manila Digger
Golden Glove Florencio Badelic Dynamic Herb Cebu

References

  1. ^ Suing, Ivan (September 20, 2024). "Torre: PFL running smoothly". Daily Tribune. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  2. ^ Saldajeno, Ivan (April 13, 2025). "Kaya Iloilo keeps PFL title with win at Stallion Laguna in season finale". Dugout Philippines. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Philippines Football League Season 2024/2025 kicks off Saturday". Philippines Football League. September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  4. ^ "Cebu FC gets back at Stallion, bolsters Finals Series chances". The Freeman. The Philippine Star. April 9, 2025. Retrieved April 13, 2025. The Top 4, on the other hand, will see action in the Finals Series, an entirely different competition from the regular season wherein a ticket to the 2025-26 ASEAN Club Championship is up for grabs.
  5. ^ a b "Handa na ba kayo, mga ka-liga? 🔥 Ito ang mga teams na maglalaban-laban sa PFL 2024-25 season". Facebook. Philippines Football League. September 11, 2024. Archived from the original on October 2, 2024. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Standings". Philippines Football League. Archived from the original on September 29, 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Suing, Ivan (September 20, 2024). "Aguilas ramp up recruitment". Daily Tribune. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  8. ^ "Cebu FC hosts first home game in PFL vs. One Taguig FC". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer. October 26, 2024. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Cebu host Taguig in Sunday matchup". Philippines Football League. November 2, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  10. ^ Atencio, Peter (March 20, 2024). "Football body, PSC eyeing Rizal Memorial makeover". Manila Standard. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  11. ^ "Kaya FC-Iloilo stakes perfect slate". The Daily Tribune. January 19, 2025. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  12. ^ Brabanzo, Bombo Ronhel (April 5, 2025). "Football match sang Kaya FC Iloilo vs Manila Diggers FC, nagtapos sa draw nga may 1-1 nga score". Bombo Radyo Iloilo. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  13. ^ "LOYOLA FC CONFIRMS JOINING THE PHILIPPINES FOOTBALL LEAGUE". December 9, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  14. ^ "PFL 2024 TRYOUT SCHEDULE". Manila Digger FC on Facebook. January 5, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  15. ^ "Dynamic Herb Cebu Football Club welcomes new head coach". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer. September 8, 2024. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  16. ^ "FC Vikings球團收購菲律賓足球隊 8名球員將租借前往踢菲超". Go Goal勁球網. January 21, 2025. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
  17. ^ "Cebu FC taps Cebuano coach Glenn Ramos for PFL campaign". Cebu Daily News. February 1, 2025. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  18. ^ a b "𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑: Davao Aguilas FC". Twitter. Philippines Football League on Twitter. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  19. ^ Rosale, Glendale (September 19, 2024). "Cebu FC set to face Mendiola 1991 in PFL opener". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  20. ^ "Cebu FC unveils 5 new players ahead of AFC Champions League". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer. September 10, 2024. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  21. ^ a b c d e "Cebu Football Club introduces new faces for the upcoming PFL season". Cebu Daily Inquirer. Philippine Daily Inquirer. March 23, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  22. ^ Aznar, Edri (February 16, 2023). "Cebu FC signs new players, plays against Kaya Feb. 19". Sunstar PH. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  23. ^ "Meet your 'Gentle Giants' (Part 4 of 5)". Sunstar PH. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  24. ^ "Ghanaian midfielder Eric Esso joins Filipino club Kaya FC". GhanaWeb. February 10, 2024. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
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  26. ^ "Kaya FC-Iloilo Welcomes Back Robert Lopez Mendy". Kaya F.C. January 27, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
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  28. ^ a b c d "Due to Typhoon Kristine, the matches scheduled for October 26 & 27 2024 have been postponed". Instagram. Philippines Football League. October 25, 2024. Archived from the original on November 3, 2024. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  29. ^ "Davao, Laguna kick off PFL hostilities". Daily Tribune. September 28, 2024. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  30. ^ "PFL Opening Weekend: Stallion, Cebu and One Taguig score wins". Philippines Football League. September 30, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024. Loyola and Davao were supposed to play the first game but the PFL decided to reschedule the match to a later date.
  31. ^ "PFL resumes this weekend". Philippines Football League. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  32. ^ "Loyola FC vs Davao Aguilas UMAK FC". Philippines Football League. September 28, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
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  34. ^ "2024-25 Top PFL Playmakers / Assists". Matchday.ph. Archived from the original on April 22, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  35. ^ "Jun Badelic Jr. of Cebu FC wins PFL's coveted Golden Glove award". Cebu Daily News. April 16, 2025. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  36. ^ "PFL faces backlash for giving out placards as individual awards". April 14, 2025. Archived from the original on April 14, 2025. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  37. ^ PFL, Binabash ng Netizen Dahil sa Placard Awards [PFL Bashed by Netizens for Placard Awards]. Sports Now (in Filipino). DWAR 1494 Abante Radyo. April 14, 2025. Archived from the original on April 24, 2025.