www.foxsportsasia.com/news/philippines-football-league-preview/A guide to the new Philippines Football League
What to expect in the maiden season of the Philippines Football League.
by Earl Averilla
@earlaverilla
The inauguration of the nationwide league will be a historic moment for the Philippines as it gears up for a sporting event that will bring football to a much wider audience. Here’s what to expect from this momentous occasion.
Representation of provinces outside Manila:
With one club based in the far north of Luzon, two clubs residing in the Visayas and a sole representative from the island of Mindanao, key provinces and regions in the country’s main regions will be represented for the first time.
Click here to see a map of the home location for each team.
www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?hl=en&hl=en&authuser=0&authuser=0&mid=1e9UxISXIEr8JOUWjqXdiaySg5pw&ll=12.651469031916863%2C123.02095143125007&z=6New League, new logo!
Newly established clubs
The league will feature two new clubs in its maiden season, Ilocos United FC and Davao Aguilas FC. These new faces and fan-bases will grace the competition, add to the significant market potential of the cities they represent, and add to the excitement of the league.
Home and Away format
The first stage of the tournament will be in a home and away format in line with the footballing tradition, which is a rarity in Philippine sports. This will definitely give the hosts and their respective fans a chance to really showcase their passionate support.
Stadia
For the first time in sports history some of the country’s stadia will be featured and exposed given the geographic representation of each team.
Quirino Stadium: Bantay, Ilocos Sur (Ilocos United FC)
Capacity: 5,000
Marikina Sports Complex: Marikina City (JP Voltes Marikina)
Capacity: 15,000
Rizal Memorial Stadium: Manila (Loyola Meralco Sparks)
Capacity: 12,873
University of Makati Stadium: Makati City (Kaya FC Makati)
Capacity: 4,000
Biñan Football Stadium: City of Biñan, Laguna (Stallion Laguna)
Capacity: 2,580
Panaad Park and Stadium: Bacolod City, Negros Occidental (Ceres Negros FC)
Capacity: 8,000
University of San Carlos Stadium: Cebu City (Global Queen City FC)
Capacity: To be determined
Davalo del Norte Sports Complex: Tagum City, Davao del Norte (Davao Aguilas FC)
Capacity: 3,000
Fans
Although football-fan culture in the Philippines is relatively still very young, each club (particularly the more established ones) already has its respective rabid fan-base:
Sons of Mighty Kaya/Ultras Kaya (Kaya Makati FC)
Established in 2011, Ultras Kaya is the oldest club-based ultras movement in the country
Global Force & Ultras Sugbo/Queen City Army (Global Queen City FC)
Global Force: The first fan group of Global FC with a more American-style type of support.
Ultras Sugbo (aka Queen City Army): The hard-core faction of Global FC
Note that both fan groups are united. The only difference between the two is the method of showing their support.
Ultras Ceres/South Side Curva Boys (Ceres Negros)
Founded in 2015, this ultras supporters of Ceres are located in the south side curve of Panaad Park and Stadium hence, their alternative name South Side Curva Boys
Lakeside Squad (Stallion Laguna)
The newest established ultra-fans group as of the moment, Lakeside squad got its name from Laguna de Bay which is the biggest lake in the Philippines where the province of Laguna is located nearby.
Loyolista Narangha (Loyola Meralco Sparks)
Founded in 2016 they got their name from their club colours (orange) which was derived from the Spanish word Naranja
Aguilas Casuals (Davao Aguilas FC)
Derived from the Casuals culture of England, they are a very newly formed ultras group for Davao Aguilas FC
Ilocos United FC Conquistadors Boosters (Ilocos United FC)
Also a newly formed fan-base, it will be a surprise on how they will let their presence felt this coming season.