All is set for PFL’s own bubble tourney

MANILA, Philippines — After the PBA, it’s the turn of the Philippines Football League to open shop amid the pandemic.

The country’s top-flight kicks off its fourth season on Oct. 25 at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite, using a similar bubble concept the ongoing PBA is implementing over in Clark.

Under the government-approved setup, the six clubs will be quartered at Seda Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and will be shuttled to Carmona for their PFL fixtures.

The teams will undergo mandatory PCR testing today ahead of their scheduled departure for Seda Nuvali on Oct. 21. They will be swabbed again upon entry into the bubble and will stay quarantined in the hotel until the results come in.

A triple-header will usher in hostilities for the single round-robin format tournament, where the team with the most points will be crowned champion.

The Azkals Development Team (ADT) and Mendiola FC will face off at 9 a.m. with Stallion Laguna and Kaya FC Iloilo squaring off at 4:30 p.m. United City FC (formerly Ceres Negros) will launch its title retention campaign against newly formed Maharlika FC at 8 p.m.

“I know that this has been a long, tedious journey for all of us,” said PFF president Nonong Araneta. “Hopefully, we will have a successful league. We are doing it in the bubble-type league. I think everyone is prepared and ready to play.”

He thanked the International Football Federation and Games and Amusements Board chairman Baham Mitra for helping the 2020 PFL season push through as well as league sponsor Qatar Airways and the participating clubs for their cooperation.

GAB, the country’s professional regulatory body, gave its thumbs-up to the PFF and PFL’s bubble plans.

“They were very compliant and they went above and beyond. I’d like to assure all stakeholders of the PFL that your leadership went above and beyond the health standards,” said GAB safety officer Kara Mallonga.

PFL commissioner Coco Torre said they decided to forego the previously announced finals series to avoid possible injuries.

“The teams met last Sunday, discussing key factors such as player fatigue and physical fitness given the fact that for seven months, there was no football at all. So we decided to reduce the number of matches so that we avoid long-term injuries,” said Torre.

“We don’t want to play a lot of matches in a compressed situation, that’s why we removed the three matches to determine the league through standings,” Torre added.

“What’s unique is that we’re the only ones in a semi bubble and our type of competition is centralized hosted in a centralized venue.”