Was there a Manila Premiere League?

[rebel2fate]

Need help remembering. I faintly remember sometime in the late 90's or early 2000's of a Manila Premiere League.

I'm sure it was sponsored by Budweiser because they got us drunk for some sort of promo for the launching of the league or something like it (that's why i don't remember much of the details. )

I also remember thinking this could be the big break for Philippine Football! but I waited and didn't hear much about it again

I tried searching the net for some info but results are as hazy as ..well my drunken haze. If anyone could help me on this, your contribution will very much be appreciated. Thank you very much

[cowscrubber]

There was a "Filipino Premier League" back in 2000 something.

It's just like UFL. They killed it, though...probably wasn't able to gain a following.

don't know if that's what you had in mind...

[samhain13]

There was what's called the Manila Premier Football League (MPFL), which I think ran for only one and a half seasons. I used to go to the games when they were held either in Rizal or ULTRA. I'm not really sure why the league faltered but I suspect that it had to do with Chris Monfort's untimely death. He's known to be the godfather of that league.

[linkstatic]

Not familiar with Manila Premier League, but there was once the PFL or Philippine Football League, early 90's. Province based teams, travelling all over the Phils... however, I only read at on the papers,no TV coverage. And It didn't last long too....

[rebel2fate]

@samhain 13, yup MFPL sounds right, i never really knew what happened to the league until now. Thank you very much.

linkstatic and cowscrubber local leagues seem to meet the same demise in the past decades. I am really excited to see another inter-regional league rise from its ashes. The UFL seems to be the only league we have for now, a support for any local league is support for Philippine Football itself. I hope we never hear the words "they killed it" or "didn't last long" again.

This is our turn!, we will make it work this time!

[rebel2fate]

by the way, this is the football I won from that MPFL launch years ago. I get reunited with it every time we go home to the province. But seeing it again didn't help much nudge my memory. I remember it having an MPFL logo somewhere, I don't see it anymore. Had I known better, I would have kept it in pristine condition but then again, what is a ball worth if it isn't played

Another regret is I should have had some of the players present in the launch sign the damn ball!!! I think Ian Araneta was there ?? (again I could be very very wrong on this) I still don't remember a lot, like I said, I was drunk! hehehe

Thanks again for the info!

Mabuhay ang Philippine Football!

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[horlicks]

The problem with leagues here is the distance, the supporters (clubs have virtual no supporters around their area), the finances, and the fanatical support. Clubs overseas has a community to support them, but here, hell no, communities here are called subdivisions, and they don't even know who their neighbor is.

And Yank sports proliferate here in our country, they spend their time to say "I can dunk you therefore I'm better than you" kind of mentality.

in order to have a functioning league, MEDIA, SPONSORS, PASSION FOR THE SPORT IS THE KEY. And a stable tv station to show the games LIVE.
Sad, I wish this sport to bounce back from obscurity.

[samhain13]

rebel2fate, hahaha! Well, at least you have some memorabilia. All I have are memories and they're fading. Been looking in the Internet for stuff about old leagues like the MPFL but there's really very little to find. And yeah, this (re the UFL and the on-going national championships): I hope we never hear the words "they killed it" or "didn't last long" again.