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| (Image Source: ASEAN Football Federation) |
The stage is all set and ready to go for the new season of the Philippines Football League amidst the continuing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic which puts an indefinite halt on contact sporting events and practices across different parts of the country as mandated by the national government's imposed health and safety protocols including physical and social distancing. Now presented by Qatar Airways, the 2020 season of PFL is slated to kick off on October 24, 2020 at the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.
Subject to the approval of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and as mandated by the guidelines of the Joint Administrative Order duly signed by the Games and Amusement Board (GAB), Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the 2020 season of PFL will sport a bubble-type setup similar to that of the PBA and the NBA and features a unique competition format headlined by a single round-robin preliminary round where participating teams will play five matches with the top four advancing to the Finals Series.
To further minimize the risk of COVID-19 for the assurance of a safe and successful season, the league is setting up a bubble at Seda Nuvali in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna for the duration of the tournament. All PFL clubs and match officials will be staying at the said bubble and are allowed to leave the premises for training and scheduled matches in Cardona considering that they are slated to undergo testing procedures to prevent the further spread of the pandemic before and during the tournament proper. Kicking off the 2020 PFL season is the duel between Azkals Development Team and Mendiola FC at 4:30 pm followed by the clash between Stallion Laguna and Kaya FC - Iloilo at 8:30 pm. Newcomers Maharlika Manila FC and United City FC, on the other hand, are scheduled to square off the next day at 5:00 pm.
Because of the pandemic, there will be no fans inside the PFF National Training Center throughout the course of the season. Meanwhile, the league is yet to announce a broadcast deal that will allow local football fans to watch the games live on different platforms. For more news and updates on the 2020 season, visit the official social media platforms of the Philippines Football League as well as its official website at www.pfl.org.ph.
