Maharlika F.C.

For the other Philippine club based in Taguig, see One Taguig F.C.

Maharlika

Full name	Maharlika Football Club
Nickname(s)	Koponan ng Masa (Team of the Masses)
Short name	MAH
Founded	2020;5 years ago (2020)
Ground	McKinley Hill Stadium
Capacity	2,000
Owner	F.C. Vikings
Head coach	Jung Donggyu
League	Philippines Football League
2024	Philippines Football League, 9th of 15
Website	https://maharlikafc.com/
Home colours Away colours
Current season

Maharlika Football Club, commonly referred to as Maharlika, is a Philippine professional football club based in Taguig that competes in the Philippines Football League.

The club was founded in 2019 as an all-star seven-a-side team that competed in the 7's Football League. The professional team was formed in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The club was co-founded by former Philippines national team defender Anton del Rosario, Cedric Hodreal^{[ citation needed ]}, and ex RP U19 and DLSU stand-out Richard Calunsod.^{[ citation needed ]}

History

Seven-a-side team (2019)

Former Philippine national team defender Anton del Rosario announced that to open his 7's Football League's 2019 season, the league was launching a new competition called the Kampeon Cup 2019. The competition was held from July 27 to 28 at the McKinley Hill Stadium in Taguig, and featured all-star 7-a-side squads from Manila, Bacolod, Cebu City, and Davao City. ^[1] The team based in Manila was Maharlika F.C. ^[2]

Several Philippines Football League (PFL) standouts played for the club during the Kampeon Cup, including former Ilocos United goalkeeper Cedric Hodreal, former Kaya and Philippine national team defender Aly Borromeo, Mendiola midfielders Hamed Hajimehdi and Roberto Corsame Jr., and Philippine Air Force stalwart Alexandro Elnar. The team had noted Philippine celebrities in its squad such as Nico Bolzico, husband of actress Solenn Heussaff, and Brazilian-Japanese model Daniel Matsunaga. ^[2]

During the Kampeon 7s Cup in 2019, Maharlika faced all-star clubs from around the Philippines and finished second out of four clubs in the group stage. In the final, it lost 5–3 to the Cebu all-star team, Cebu Leylam FC, with Hajimehdji, Del Rosario, and Borromeo scoring the goals. ^[3] The team was also planned to join the Kampeon 7s Cup 2020 in Cebu featuring clubs from Davao, Bacolod, Cebu, and Iloilo City from March 13 to 15, However, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the competition was cancelled. ^[4]

Philippines Football League (2020–)

On July 27, the Facebook and Instagram pages of Maharlika were created, leading to exciting new rumours of the formation of a new club. The club began engaging its fans by asking them questions regarding topics such as player signings and sustainability. On July 30, the club opened its doors to training via Zoom. Pictures of these training sessions were later posted, revealing Del Rosario alongside a set of younger football players as well as many former United Football League and Philippines Football League veterans such as former Kaya-Iloilo players Serge Kaole and Alfred Osei, Hodreal, who played for Maharlika in the Kampeon 7s Cup, former Manila Nomads Sports Club player Mateo Yuhico, and former Global keeper Enrique Ortiz.^{[ citation needed ]}

Bandeken

Barbaso

Basa

Amisola

Yuhico

Fornea

del Rosario

Canicosa

Beaton

Tuason

Epesso

The starting lineup that garnered Maharlika's first-ever win over Stallion Laguna.

On August 6, during a livestream on the Facebook page of Sports On Air, Del Rosario revealed that Maharlika was applying for a license to be able to join the PFL as early as the 2020 season. Should they not participate in this year's season, they were open to join the 2020 season of the Weekend Futbol League. ^{[5] [6]} He also stated that he doesn't want to commit just yet, given the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. The team's lineup wasn't revealed either, but it is hinted by Del Rosario to contain former Azkals players, former football players, and some youth players. Brazilian-Japanese model Daniel Matsunaga is one of those who is part of the lineup. ^{[7] [8] [9]} On August 9, Misagh Bahadoran hinted that he had joined Maharlika Football Club, stating that the club had the mentality of former Azkals' players. ^{[10] [11]}

On September 1, Maharlika was granted a provisional license allowing it to participate in the PFL's 2020 season. ^{[12] [13] [14] [15]} For at least the first season, players were signed to play for a wage of ₱1, essentially pro bono, until the club becomes more sustainable. ^[16] On September 22, 2020, Maharlika formally partnered with the Manila city government and were formally endorsed by Mayor Isko Moreno. ^[17]

Maharlika's first-ever PFL match took place on October 28 at the PFF National Training Centre, where they lost 1–0 to Kaya–Iloilo. ^{[18] [19] [20]} On their following match, on October 31, Maharlika scored their first-ever PFL goal, with Jose Montelibano scoring against Stallion Laguna. That same match was also their first-ever PFL win, which ended 2–1 courtesy of winger Jeremy Theuer. ^[21]

In February 2023, the McKinley Hill Stadium in Taguig was approved by the PFL as the club's home stadium. ^[22] The club then renamed themselves as Maharlika Taguig in January 2024, before the start of the 2024 Philippines Football League.^{[ citation needed ]}

F.C. Vikings of the Taiwan Football Premier League fully acquired the Filipino club by January 2025 taking over the ownership from Anton del Rosario while remaining in the PFL. The club is once again known as simply Maharlika F.C. ^[23]

Team image

Maharlika Taguig markets itself as the "Koponan ng Masa" and adopts the motto of "For the people, by the people, we are the People's Club". ^[24] The club's crest was designed by Augustino Cabral of Southside Football with its own nickname featured at the bottom using the traditional Baybayin script. ^[25] The club is named after a feudal warrior class of the ancient Tagalog society in Luzon during the pre-colonial era.

Kit manufacturers and sponsors

Period	Kit Manufacturer	Shirt Partner [26]
2020–2021	Gameville Sportswear	Philam Life
2022–	Equipt Studios	AIA

Affiliated clubs

The following club is currently affiliated with Maharlika:

• EMA Bulacan Highlanders (2024-Present)

In May 2024, the club officially announced their partnership with amateur club EMA Bulacan Highlanders with the aim to improve grassroots and youth development football in Bulacan. ^[27]

Coaching staff

As of July 30, 2021 ^[28]

Position	Staff
General manager	Choy Calunsod
Head coach	Lerche Njang
Assistant head coaches	Alvin Ocampo
	Adrian Payson
Strength and conditioning coach	Cris Roldan
Physical therapist	Lorenzo Simbulan

Head coaches

Dates	Name	Notes
2020	Roxy Dorlas
2021	Arvin Jay Soliman
2022	Derick Jeongil Kim
2022	Arman Esteban
2023	Roxy Dorlas
2024	Lerche Njang
2025–	Jung Donggyu

Records

Season	Division	Teams	League position	Copa Paulino Alcantara	AFC Champions League	AFC Cup
2020	1	6	5th	Cancelled	—	—
2021	1	7	Cancelled	Didn't Participate	—	—
2022	1	7	5th	6th	—	—
2023	1	5		Quarter Finals	—	—
2024	1	15	—	—	—	—
Updated as of April 6, 2024

References

1. Murillo, Michael (July 22, 2019). "7s Football League commences new season with Kampeon Cup". Archived from the original on February 7, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
2. PinoyFootball (July 20, 2019). "Philam Vitality 7s KAMPEON Paves Way For Talented Players Around The Country". Archived from the original on August 25, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
3. Alison, Mars (July 28, 2019). "Cebu Leylam Niños 7s bag Philam Vitality Kampeon Cup title". Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
4. Sunstar Cebu (March 12, 2020). "Kampeon Cup cancels 3-day event". Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
5. Stewart, Adrian (August 8, 2020). "Maharlika Manila targets PFL license". Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
6. Murillo, Michael (August 6, 2020). "Maharlika FC signifies intent to join the PFL". Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
7. Saldajeno, Ivan (August 6, 2020). "Anton Del Rosario bares Maharlika Manila seeking PFL license" . Retrieved August 13, 2020.
8. "Maharlika Manila targets PFL license". Panay News. August 8, 2020. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
9. "Del Rosario forms football team". Manila Standard. August 6, 2020. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
10. Tupas, Cedelf (August 13, 2020). "Bahadoran sets comeback, joins team with 'mentality of past Azkals players'". Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
11. "Misagh Bahadoran to lead new PFL club Maharlika FC". Tiebreaker Times. September 1, 2020. Archived from the original on September 21, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
12. "Maharlika FC, Welcome to the Philippines Football League; FIB Slaps Global FC with a lengthy suspension". Huddle PH. September 1, 2020. Archived from the original on September 26, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
13. "Decisions For PFL Season 2020 Issued". Philippine Football Federation. September 1, 2020. Archived from the original on October 1, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
14. "PFF suspends Global FC for 90 days, grants Maharlika provisional license". ABS-CBN News. September 1, 2020. Archived from the original on September 1, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
15. "Football teams start practice as PFL eyes October restart". CNN News. September 1, 2020. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
16. Del Rosario, Paolo (September 10, 2020). "Newly-formed Maharlika FC is built on 'love of the sport' and one-peso players". ESPN5. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
17. "Maharlika FC Inks Dream Partnership with Manila". September 22, 2020. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
18. "PFL: Kaya Iloilo edges Maharlika-Manila for winning start to 2020 campaign". ABS-CBN News. October 29, 2020. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
19. Go, Beatrice (October 28, 2020). "Kaya FC surges past newcomer Maharlika FC for 1st win". Rappler. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
20. Del Carmen, Lorenzo (October 28, 2020). "Jayson Panhay, Kaya spoil Maharlika debut in PFL". Tiebreaker Times. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
21. Terrado, Reuben (October 31, 2020). "Maharlika Manila nips Stallion Laguna for first-ever PFL win". Sports Interactive Network (SPIN.PH). Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
22. "Clubs submit Team Roster form". The Philippines Football League. February 10, 2023. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
23. "Vikings FC Acquires 100% Ownership of Maharlika FC, Announces Player Loan Program". Matchday.ph. January 21, 2025. Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
24. Naredo, Camille (September 2, 2020). "Football: PFL hails 'professionalism' of new team Maharlika FC". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on September 2, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
25. "We are proud to unveil the official logo of Maharlika FC". Facebook. Maharlika F.C. August 12, 2020. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved September 2, 2020. We are proud to unveil the official logo of Maharlika FC, ang Koponan ng Masa. Logo by Augustino Cabral of Southside Football and Animation by Rigel Estabaya
26. "Maharlika FC". Maharlika Football Club. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
27. "𝐄𝐌𝐀 𝐇𝐅𝐂 𝐱 𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐚 𝐅𝐂". EMA Bulacan Highlanders on facebook. May 15, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
28. "MMFC PFL 2021 Coaching Staff". Facebook. Maharlika Manila FC. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2021.

External links

• Maharlika F.C. on Facebook
• Maharlika Manila F.C. Latest Results - latest Maharlika Manila F.C. scores