The 2017 Philippines Football League was the inaugural season of the Philippines Football League, the professional football league of the Philippines. The league was officially launched on 21 April 2017 at Shangri-La at the Fort in Taguig, while the first match of the season was played on 6 May. The PFL replaced the Metro Manila-based United Football League, which served as the country's de-facto top-level football league from 2009 to 2016. The league was made up of 8 clubs: 6 from the UFL and 2 expansion teams. Each club played the others four times, twice at their home ground and twice at that of their opponents', for 28 games. The teams that finished the season in the top four entered a playoff tournament to determine the league's champion. The 2017 season is the only PFL season to feature a playoff finals. The top four teams of the league's regular season" which concluded on November 28, 2017 progressed to the playoff finals, dubbed as the Finals Series. The Finals Series which ran from December 2 to 16 2017, consists of a two-legged semifinals, a third-place playoff, and the final match. The final took place on 16 December at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod, between Ceres–Negros and Global Cebu. Ceres–Negros won the match 4–1 and became the first club to win the PFL title.
Teams
On 24 November 2016, it was reported that at least five teams will join the inaugural season of the PFL. Bacolod-based Ceres–Negros F.C. reportedly will move to Davao City, and a new club will be formed to represent Bacolod or the Negros Island Region. However at the time of the report, nothing has been confirmed by the club or the Philippine Football Federation. Ceres later denied reports of stating that they will field a second team supposedly to be based in Davao City. Ceres, Global, Loyola, Stallion, as well as Kaya were confirmed by the PFF on 29 November 2016 as official clubs for the inaugural 2017 season and is projecting that three other clubs will join. By December 2016, JP Voltes joined the list of confirmed 2017 PFL clubs. It was reported that a total of ten clubs expressed interest to join the league, eight of which have submitted documents required by the PFF according to PFF General Secretary Ed Gastanes. Green Archers United and a club owned by seaport management firm International Container Terminal Services, were the two clubs which withdrew their bid to participate in the league. By 1 April 2017, the PFF has confirmed the participation of 8 clubs.
Stadiums and locations
The PFF confirmed the following clubs with their localities and stadiums that will comprise the inaugural season of the PFL.
Personnel and kits
Managerial changes
Foreign players
A maximum of four foreigners are allowed per club which follows the Asian Football Confederation's '3+1 rule'; three players of any nationality and a fourth coming from an AFC member nation. Players name in bold indicates the player was registered during the mid-season transfer window.
Foreign players who left their clubs or were de-registered from playing squad due to medical issues or other matters while the league season was still ongoing.
Also a holder of AFC nationality
Global FC also registered other foreigners for the international competitions.
Brad McDonald has both Australia and Papua New Guinea FIFA nationality.
Regular season
Positions by round
Results by round
Source:
Results
The eight clubs will play each other four times for twenty eight matches each during the regular season.
First round
Second round
Match abandoned at halftime due to deteriorating pitch condition by way of adverse weather. As per PFL rules, final score for matches abandoned at halftime and the second half would be the score of the game just prior to abandonment. Match deemed a forfeiture due to home stadium unavailability. Kaya awarded a 0–3 win Match deemed a forfeiture due to ambulances supposed to be on the venue got involved in an accident. Davao awarded a 0–3 win. Forfeiture affirmed on Nov. 22 Match deemed a forfeiture due to Ilocos' non-compliance with the league's franchise agreement. Meralco awarded a 0-3 win. Match abandoned in the 78rd minute due to "poor visibility". Game ended in 2–2 draw.
Finals Series
The top four teams from the Regular Season qualified and are seeded for the Finals Series' Semifinals. The 1st and 4th ranked clubs of the Regular Season are seeded in the first semifinals while the 2nd and 3rd ranked club were seeded in the second semifinals. The winners of the two-legged semifinals contested for the league title in the final while the losers played in a third place playoff.
As per statistical convention in football, matches decided in extra time are counted as wins and losses, while matches decided by penalty shoot-outs are counted as draws.
Season statistics
Top goalscorers
;Note 1 6 goals were scored for Meralco Manila during the same season.
Hat-tricks
;Note – Home ; – Away 4 Player scored four goals
Clean sheets
Discipline
Club
Most red cards : 5
*Kaya–Makati
*JPV Marikina
Least red cards : 1
*Ilocos United
*Stallion Laguna
*Global Cebu
Individual red cards
Additionally, players may be suspended for more than a single match due to violations of the PFF Disciplinary Code. The Disciplinary Committee on November 7, 2017 imposed match suspensions and fines to players due to misconduct towards officials and/or other players.
