Heads up football fans! The Philippines Football League resumes this February, and with 43 matches ahead, the title race is still wide open.
If you’ve been missing the action of local football in the past weeks, we have good news for you! The Philippines Football League (PFL) is kicking off once again to resume their season in February 2023.
Two matches will mark the return of the league. On February 18, Mendiola FC 1991 will face off with United City FC. On the same day, Maharlika Manila FC will take on Stallion Laguna FC.
Following this, league leaders Kaya FC-Iloilo will be hosting the first out-of-town match of 2023. On February 19, they will be playing third-placer Dynamic Herb Cebu FC β the Visayas Derby β on their home turf at the Iloilo Sports Complex.
The first half of the season saw 39 matches already played. From this, Kaya emerged at the top of the midseason standings with 30 points to their name. Meanwhile, United City are currently holding second place, trailing the leaders by six points. Dynamic Herb Cebu sits in third with 21 points.
With these three title contenders playing in the opening weekend of 2023, each team will be fighting to take each win. And, as we head into the second half of the season, every result becomes all the more important.
Building the local football scene
This season also saw league matches played outside of Metropolitan Manila for the very first time
since 2019 with Kaya edging United City, 2-1, at the Iloilo Sports Complex last 12 November 2022.
Dynamic Herb Cebu also hosted its first two matches against Kaya and United City at the Dynamic HERB Sports Complex in Talisay, Cebu. United City FC also made their debut at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium against the Azkals Development Team and Stallion Laguna.
βThe Philippines Football League has already made its return to the domestic football scene last
year and we are delighted to have witnessed league matches already played in front of capacity
crowds in Iloilo and in Cebu,β PFF president Mariano Araneta shared in a statement.
βWe hope that this trend reinvigorates fan support when the second half of league action kicks off next month.β
The second half of the league will run from February 18 until June 11, with 43 matches still to play. With this many matches still ahead, this keeps the title race wide open. In addition, the PFF also announced last December that the Copa Paulino Alcantara 2023 will expand to 16 participating teams, with a target of 60 matches from June to September.
βThe expansion of the upcoming Copa Paulino Alcantara is a much-needed shot in the arm to elevate the domestic club football scene. More teams mean more matches and football experience,β PFL Commissioner Mikhail Torre added.
βThe expanded Cup shall serve as a benchmark on the quality of football amongst professional and amateur clubs and we hope to further grow the football pyramid in the near future.β
Banner image from PFL on Instagram.
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