Expanded cast expected in next PFL tourney

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines Football League is looking to sustain the gains from its successful bubble tournament last year as it gears up for its fifth season with possibly an expanded cast.

“We are already planning for 2021, how we design the league whether bubble or non-bubble,” PFL Commissioner Coco Torre told The STAR.

The next competition is being eyed for the first half of 2021 – in whatever setup deemed fitting by authorities.

“We are still studying the scenarios especially in relation to the vaccine,” he said.

The PFL was among the few sports leagues that resumed action in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 under strict health and safety protocols.

For two weeks in October and November, the country’s top-flight conducted a short bubble tournament with matches held at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite, and the six clubs housed at Nuvali Seda in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

For the next hostilities, Torre said the PFL may welcome the entry of additional clubs.

“Two to three clubs have already expressed interest to join so we hope to get them on board this year” he said, though declining to identify the prospective new clubs.

Because of the medical conditions on the ground, the PFL called off the Copa Paulino Alcantara (Cup competition) for 2020. The Copa is still up in the air for 2021.

“It’s a wait and see for the Copa but we are focusing more on the league (competitions) muna,” said Torre.