THE much awaited Philippines Football League (PFL) is now starting to form as teams from the United Football League (UFL) have started to adopt cities where they could be based.
Although the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has not confirmed anything yet, my sources have confirmed that top teams, Global FC, Loyola Meralco Sparks, Ceres FC and Stallions FC have already found cities to host them.
Global FC is reportedly going to make Cebu as its home city. Global FC owner Dan Palami, and Cebu Football Association president and construction magnate Ricky Dakay are joining forces to form a super team for Cebu. Newly appointed coach John Burridge has even gone to Cebu to check their official home field, the University of San Carlos stadium in Talamban and the Cebu City Sports Center.
The Loyola Meralco Sparks FC is reportedly making Taguig City as their home city and the Emperador Stadium in Mckinley Hill, at the The Fort as their home field. The LMSFC is the glamour club in the UFL having the Younghusband brothers James and Phil in its line-up.
The Bacolod based Ceres FC of the Yanson family is reportedly moving to Davao City but Bacolod City will not be left without a club as one of the Yanson brothers is building another club to represent Bacolod City or the Island of Negros.
The Stallions FC of Ernie Nierras is also reportedly joining the PFL and have arranged to make Binan Laguna as their home town. Binan has a first class football stadium and the Stallions have already started using the stadium as their practice venue.
Cagayan de Oro is one of the cities mentioned in the Nielsen Company study where a possible PFL team could be located. However, no CdO teams or clubs have been formed as of the moment.
Among the factors considered are existing infrastructures, accessibility, capacity of fans to pay, the existence of sponsors, and fan appreciation of the sport.
Cities considered to host a PFL team are Manila, Makati, Quezon City, Marikina, Sta. Maria Bulacan, Bocaue Bulacan, Laguna, Cebu City, Bacolod City, Iloilo City, Davao City, Cagayan de Oro City, and Zamboanga City.
The PFF is targeting six teams in the first season of the PFL and five clubs from Davao, Bacolod, Cebu, Bacolod, Binan are already getting ready to join. How about Kaya FC, Globe Green Archers FC, Pasargad FC and Laos FC? Are they jumping ship too?
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