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| Philippine Premier League's commisioner Bernie Sumayao and tournament director Richard Gannaban (right) with Philippine Football Federation president Mariano Araneta (center) (Image Source: ABS-CBN News/Mark Demayo) |
It has been long since the now defunct United Football League (UFL)
opened its doors to aspirants from different parts of the country who are keen
in developing their football skills hoping to shine in the local club football
scene. After a few moments of struggling hindrances and being overlooked, the
Philippine club football scene is set to open a new chapter in 2019 with the launch
of the Philippine Premier League (PPL).
Replacing the short-lived Philippine Football League, the PPL aims to boost
local club football as the newest top tier competition to hit our local shores.
Through the nod of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), the Philippine
Premier League will be under the management of PPL Sports Group Inc. through
its chairman and league commissioner Bernie Sumayao, a 59-year old Filipino
businessman who has been involved in media and content rights in Thailand over the
past three decades and is responsible for bringing the best of European
football to Philippine television.
Prior to its official launch, twelve teams have already expressed their
interest to enter the new endeavor, but Sumayao insisted that the inaugural
season of the PPL will have eight teams participating. These include Ceres Negros
FC, Kaya Iloilo FC, Stallion Laguna and Green Archers United Globe. The
complete lineup of participating teams may be announced in the coming weeks
once it is finalized but the Philippine Air Force is likely to compete. Slated
to begin by the end of March, the PPL is imposing significant changes that are
a literal surprise to any Filipino football junkie.
To begin with, the registration fee for participating teams will be a
small fraction of that of the PFL instead of what is based on the previous league's franchise scheme. The inaugural season of the league will
begin with a triple round-robin elimination stage but these games will be
played in at least three or four grounds across Metro Manila including the new
artificial turf within the University of Makati football field. Aside from the
featured games, every matchday will be complemented with fan interaction activities
and even live musical performances to boot. Although there won't be any
home-and-away games all throughout the season's maiden voyage, the PPL is
intended to stage centralized matches outside the Metro in the latter part of
the season.
What makes the new league more exciting for more Filipino football
fans, old and new alike, to enjoy is that it will be covered by no less than ESPN5
with all games being aired live on 5's newest sister channel 5Plus every Saturday
nights and highlights on SportsCenter Philippines after matchday. Live online
streaming of games is yet to be implemented probably during or after the
season. With these in mind and more in store, the Philippines Premier League is
sure to be an exciting one to enjoy at the start of our summer.
For more updates on the Philippine
Premier League, follow the league on Facebook (@philippinepremierleague),
Twitter (@PPLeague) and Instagram (@philippinepremierleague).
