Manila Premier Football League

Last updated
Manila Premier Football League
First season1997
Folded1997
CountryPhilippines
Number of clubs8
Level on pyramid1
Relegation toNone
Last champions Philippine Air Force (1 title)
(1997)
TV partners IBC

The Manila Premier Football League (MPFL) was a semi-professional football league in the Philippines. The only edition of then de-facto top-level league in the country was held in 1997.

Contents

The tournament was organized by the National Capital Region F.A. and the Main Events Creative Leisure Services and was sanctioned by the Philippine Football Federation. [1]

History

The conduct of semi-professional football was largely stopped after 1995 due to organizational and financial constraints. Tournaments were previously held under a home-and-away format by the Philippine Football Federation (PFF). [2] [3]

From 1995, there was a lack of PFF-sanctioned tournaments. The PFF under the administration of president Lope Pascual started attempting to establish a semi-professional league. However they experienced difficulty in holding games in the rural areas for the PFF's league. [4] Pascual eventually left the PFF. [5] By early 1996, the process of setting up a semi-professional league continued under president Ricardo Tan. [6] In October 1997, Tan was removed from the presidency with Rene Adad taking over resetting the progress on the league establishment. [7]

The Manila Premier Football League was then launched in 1997. In preparation for the 1997 season. The Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila was renovated in cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission, the National Capital Region F.A., and Main Events Creative Leisure Services. [8] Chris Monfort was the commissioner of the MPFL. [9]

The league kicked off on July 19, 2000. [9] Pop bands Put3ska and Rizal Underground performed at the opening ceremony. [10] Philippine Air Force won the title for the only edition of the MPFL held. [11]

Teams

ClubMascot [12] Head coach
Alabang United Stallions [13] Albert Lim [14]
España United TigerNoel Casilao
Loyola Falcon
Mendiola United Lion
Philippine Army Carabao
Philippine Air Force Eagle
Philippine Navy DolphinFeliciano Angue [1]
Taft Black Panther Orlando Plagata [15]

Venues

There are two venues used for the league. The Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila and the PSC–NAS Field in Pasig. [13] [16]

1997 season

Draft

A draft was held for the 1997 MPFL on June 7, 1997 at the Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila. [17] [18] Ver Velasco was selected as top pick by Orlando Plagata-coached Taft FC. The three Armed Forces of the Philippines clubs did not participate. [2] [19]

First round
PickPlayerPos.TeamCollege/University
1Ver VelascoGKTaft University of the Philippines
2John CarmonaMFEspaña United De La Salle University
3Rene Grapilon Loyola Ateneo de Manila University
4Lloyd LimAlabang United University of the East
5Francis AbijayLoyola De La Salle University
6Randy Belaong Mendiola United University of the Philippines

Format

The elimination round featuring the eight participating teams was held. The top four teams advanced to the semifinals. [20] The semifinals was held on October 26 while the final was scheduled on November 15. [21]

Results

Elimination round

TeamPldWDLQualification
Philippine Army 8421Semifinals
Philippine Air Force 8421
Philippine Navy 8421
España UnitedNo information
Alabang United
Loyola
Mendiola United
Taft		No information

Semifinals

Philippine Army 2–0España United
Morata Soccerball shade.svg60', 75' Report

Final

Philippine Air Force won the title [11]

References

  1. 1 2 "Navy booters down Mendiola, 2-0, move up to joint 2nd". Manila Standard. 5 October 1997. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  2. 1 2 Atencio, Peter (13 June 1997). "Aging goalkeeper, former youth standout head booters drafted for semi-pro meet". Manila Standard. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  3. ↑ Atencio, Peter (29 June 1997). "Semi-pro loop big boost to RP football". Manila Standard. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  4. ↑ Atencio, Peter (23 November 1996). "Clamor for football reforms mounts". Manila Standard. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  5. ↑ Atencio, Peter (24 November 1996). "The fall of football's Pascual". Manila Standard. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  6. ↑ Atencio, Peter (25 November 1996). "Cano Tan takes over rein of RP football". Manila Standard. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  7. ↑ Atencio, Peter (27 November 1996). "RP football back to square one". Manila Standard. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  8. ↑ "Football stadium to undergo facelift for semi-pro soccer". Manila Standard. 17 June 1997. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  9. 1 2 "Semi-pro football unfolds today". Manila Standard. 19 July 1997. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  10. ↑ "España XI posts 1st MPFL win". Manila Standard. 19 July 1997. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  11. 1 2 Olivarez, Rick; Ramirez, Bert (2016). "Glory Days, We Owe Them (chapter author)". Philippine Football: Its Past, Its Future. By Villegas, Bernardo. University of Asia and the Pacific. p. 111. ISBN   978-621-8002-29-6. The Airmen, then called the Eagles, also won the ony edition of the Manila Premier Football League in 1997, beating the Philippine Army Tamaraws for the title.
  12. ↑ "Mascots for semi-pro RP football league teams unveiled". Manila Standard. 10 July 1997. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  13. 1 2 "Korean ref debuts as football resumes". Manila Standard. 16 August 1997. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  14. ↑ "Football donation". Manila Standard. 12 September 1997. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  15. ↑ "Budweiser sponsors team in Manila Premier Football". Manila Standard. 12 July 1997. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  16. ↑ "Navy edges Loyola, 2-1, grabs lead". Manila Standard. 17 August 1997. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  17. ↑ "Saluria, Rosell head semi-pro football draftees". Manila Standard. 3 June 1997. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  18. ↑ "It's Draft Day for semi-pro football today". Manila Standard. 7 June 1997. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  19. ↑ "Semi-pro football revived; Velasco MPFL, top pick". Manila Standard. 9 June 1997. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  20. ↑ "Army booters outplay Taft". news.google.com. 8 September 1997. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  21. ↑ Atencio, Peter (30 October 1997). "Army, PAF forge football title showdown". Manila Standard. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
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