The Philippine Football Federation Competitions Department marked 2023 as a banner year with several competitions conducted throughout the year with a total of 221 local matches played.
PFF president John Gutierrez hailed the conduct of competitions for the year as it showed that the domestic football scene is bustling with football matches in the country.
“Local competitions serve as the breeding ground of footballing talents nationwide,” said Gutierrez. “We look forward on what the next year holds with several competitions being lined up on all fronts.”
The year started off with the second half of the Philippines Football League brought to you by Qatar Airways season 2022-2023 which had a total of 26 matches played. Kaya FC-Iloilo claimed its first-ever league title last June with 55 points. Kaya’s championship run was challenged by a resilient Dynamic Herb Cebu FC that came close in second after its strong title run-in was ultimately denied by Stallion Laguna FC after forcing a scoreless draw in the penultimate match of the season.
Philippine club football was also represented in AFC Club Competitions. Kaya FC Iloilo faced the likes of Shandong Taishan, Incheon United, and Yokohama F Marinos in the AFC Champions League.
Meanwhile, Dynamic Herb Cebu FC and Stallion Laguna FC raised the flag in their respective AFC Cup campaigns. Cebu claimed its maiden win over Shan United while Stallion caused a surprise draw against Terengganu FC away from home.
Domestic amateur competitions also took the limelight in 2023. The PFF U19 Boys National Championship 2023 First Division saw a total of 30 National Group Stages matches played at both the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite (Group A) and Dynamic Herb Sports Complex in Talisay, Cebu (Group B) last June 2023.
The final four was contested by National Capital Region FA, Stallion FC, Central Visayas FA, and Panay FA with matches played at the Dynamic Herb Sports Complex in Cebu last 22-24 August 2023. Stallion FC emerged as the winners of the Under-19 First Division after a 1-0 win over NCR FA.
The PFF Under-19 Second Division saw a total of 45 matches in the Regional Group Stage, followed by 12 matches in the National Group Stage. Group winners Kaya FC-Iloilo and Palawan FA contested the national final that was played at the Rizal Memorial Stadium with Kaya winning 7-0.
The PFF Women’s League season 2023 marked its return in the competitions calendar with Coca-Cola Philippines coming in as league’s sponsor. The league saw a total of 49 matches spanning 45 elimination round matches and four (4) knockout matches played from June-November 2023.
The final was an all-women’s club affair as Kaya FC-Iloilo edged Manila Digger FC, 1-0, last 12 November 2023 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The competitions calendar culminated with the expanded 17-team Copa Paulino Alcantara that was played from July-December 2023. Composed of five (5) PFL clubs, seven (7) amateur clubs, three (3) university teams, and two (2) Armed Forces teams, the teams were grouped in to two groups of six teams and one group of five teams.
Once again, Kaya FC-Iloilo came out as winners after defeating the returning Davao Aguilas-UMak FC, 4-3 on penalties, as it ended 1-1 at the end of extra-time last 09 December at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The success of the 2023 competitions bids well for the PFF Competitions Department as the PFF Under-16 and Under-19 National Championships, the PFF Women’s League, and the newly expanded Philippines Football League which targets an expanded cast of 14 participating teams, are all set to kick off in 2024.
