The Philippines Football League, the much-anticipated professional football league with a regional setting, was formally launched last night at the Shangri-La Hotel in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig ahead of the opening matches set for April 29.
Officials of the Philippine Football Federation led by its president Nonong Araneta and General Secretary Ed Gastanes led the launch of the league that will feature eight teams which passed the federation’s requirement to secure club licenses to be eligible in the newly-formed league.
Last year’s United Football League double winner Global and Ceres-Negros, both competing in the AFC Cup, lead the cast of participants. Global is representing Cebu after partnering with the province to have its home matches in the Queen City of the South.
Other participants are the Loyola Meralco Sparks, Kaya Makati, JPV Marikina, Stallion Laguna, Davao Aguilas and Ilocos Sur.
A home-and-away format will use in the league’s inaugural season with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs to determine the champion.
Games are set to be televised on PTV 4 while the opening matches were being determined at presstime through a draw also held in last night’s formal launch.
