United Football League (Philippines)

United Football League
Country Philippines
Confederation AFC (Asia)
Founded 2009
Number of teams 10
Level on pyramid 1
Relegation to UFL Division 2
Domestic cup(s) PFF Club Championship
UFL Cup
League cup(s) FA Cup
FA League Cup
International cup(s) AFC Cup
AFC President's Cup (defunct)
Current champions Global (2nd title)
(2014)
Most championships Philippine Air Force
Global
(2 titles each)
Top goalscorer Mark Hartmann (27 goals)
TV partners AksyonTV
Website UFL.ph
2015 United Football League

The United Football League, commonly known as UFL Division 1 or UFL, is an association football league based in the National Capital Region of the Philippines, governed by the Football Alliance (FA) in partnership with United Football Clubs Association (UFCA).[1][2] The UFL is the Philippines' primary football league. It is contested by 10 clubs and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with UFL Division 2. Games are often scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.[3] To avoid the country's rainy season, the league usually kicks off sometime between the months of January and February each year.[4]

The league started as a semi-professional tournament in 2009.[5] For its inaugural season, the first UFL Cup, sanctioned by both the Philippine Football Federation and National Capital Region Football Association, was held in 2009 to determine the clubs that would participate in the league. Since then, it has been described as a thriving football league, organized by former football players and aficionados.[6] A total of 21 clubs have competed in UFL Division 1 since its founding. At present, it is organized by the Football Alliance, whose long-term goal is the continued development of football in the Philippines through a premier league.[7]

Since the UFL first started, three clubs have been crowned first division league champions: Philippine Air Force (2), Global (2), and Stallion (1). The current champions are Global, which won the title in the 2014 season.

Structure and competition

The league is composed of two divisions, both with clubs playing a double round-robin format. During the course of a season, which commences sometime in January, each team plays every other club twice for a total of 18 games. However, during the 2014 season, the first division implemented a triple round-robin system, which increased the games from 18 to 24.[8] Like most football leagues around the world, it adopts the standard point system wherein match winners receive three points and losers get none. Each club receives a point, on the other hand, if the match ends in a draw.[9] At the end of each season, the team with the most points is crowned league champion. For clubs that are level in points, the following tie-breakers are applied:

  1. Goal difference for the entire season
  2. Total goals scored for the entire season
  3. Head-to-head results (total points)
  4. Head-to-head goals scored
  5. Head-to-head away goals scored
  6. Total away goals scored for the entire season

Promotion and relegation

Since the start of the 2013 season, a new promotion-relegation system has been adopted by the league. The club that finishes second in UFL Division 2 also has a chance of being promoted via a two-legged aggregate-goal playoff against the ninth-place team in the first division, similar to the system used in the Bundesliga.[10] For the 2015 season, a single team in UFL Division 1, Pasargad, was relegated to the second division. Further, the top two clubs from the latter, Ceres and Manila Jeepney, were both promoted to the first division.[11] Before the start of this season, Manila Nomads' decided to voluntarily step down from the first division to play in UFL Division 2, citing its inability to comply with the league's foreigner cap rule.[12] Below is a complete record of the number of clubs that have played in the first division throughout the league's history.

 
  • 2010: 8 clubs
  • 2011: 7 clubs
  • 2012–2013: 10 clubs
  • 2014: 9 clubs
  • 2015–present: 10 clubs

Qualification for Asian competitions

In January 2013, Global FC chairman Dan Palami posted a picture via Twitter of the letter of approval from Asian Football Confederation general secretary Dato Alex Soosay of his club's participation to the 2013 AFC President's Cup, which was scheduled from 2 to 12 May 2013 for the group stage.[13] The team's participation marked the first time that the UFL and the Philippines sent a team in the cup to compete against clubs such as Taiwan Power Company, Hilal Al-Quds, and FC Dordoi Bishkek, to name a few.[14][15] Global qualified and was chosen to represent the country after winning the league title in the 2012 season.[16] However, for the 2014 AFC President's Cup, instead of the UFL, the PFF–Smart National Club Championship served as the qualifiers for the country's representative. Ceres, the 2013 PFF–Smart National Club Championship champions, represented the Philippines in the 2014 edition of the tournament.[17]

Further, the ASEAN Football Federation announced in April 2013 the creation of the ASEAN Super League. This annual regional club football competition would be participated by Southeast Asian teams run by the AFF, and its winner is projected to receive a slot to compete in the Asian Champions League.[18]

In December 2014, Philippine Football Federation president Mariano Araneta, Jr. announced that the Philippines has been allocated a couple of slots for the 2015 AFC Cup. UFL club Global FC has been assigned an automatic slot for winning the 2014 UFL Division 1 league championship. 2014 FA League Cup champions Ceres FC, on the other hand, entered the 2015 AFC Cup play-off round against Maldivian football club Maziya.[19]

Format

Season League Cup Cup League FA Cup
1 – 2009 2010 –
2 – 2010 2011 –
3 – 2011 2012 –
4 – 2012 2013 –
5 – 2013 2014 2014
6 2014 2015 2015 2015
Note: The Philippine football season starts with the FA League Cup. The
2009 UFL Cup was held to determine the clubs for UFL Division 1 in 2010.

Originally, the regular season of the UFL was composed of two competitions, namely: the United Football Cup, a single-elimination tournament that allows clubs to participate regardless of their division, and a domestic league. The latter is composed of separate round-robin tournaments for clubs in the first and second divisions.[20] This is similar to the season schedule of the Philippine Basketball Association, which currently follows a three-conference format in a single season. The cup competition used to run from November to December of each year, while the league ran from January to July. Thus, these two competitions used to happen in separate calendar years.[21] Since then, UFL officials have continuously introduced new formats, schedules, and tournaments to align the league calendar with those in the ASEAN region.[22]

Beginning the 2015 season, the football season in the Philippines starts around September of each year with the FA League Cup. Further, the league and the UFL Cup both kick off sometime between the months of January and February every year, and these two competitions would be played simultaneously. Each season ends with the FA Cup, considered the culminating tournament of the UFL.[23] This shift was done to align the UFL calendar with the football leagues in Southeast Asia and to avoid possible conflicts with the schedule of the Philippines national football team.[24]

UFL FA League Cup

Main article: UFL FA League Cup

The United Football League Football Association League Cup, commonly known as UFL FA League Cup, is a Filipino men's association football competition. It is played on a multistage format that culminates with single-elimination, knockout games. All clubs that currently play in UFL Division 1 and UFL Division 2 are eligible to compete in the FA League Cup. The cup starts with a qualifier for the bottom eight teams from the second division, with the top four advancing to the 16-club group stage. The top two teams from each of the four groups in this stage would move on to the knockout stages, culminating in a finals match sometime in November.[25] Most all FA League Cup matches are played at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. The competition was introduced to the league calendar before the start of the 2015 season.[26][27]

Year Winner Score Runners–up Venue
2014 Ceres 2–1 Global Rizal Memorial Stadium

UFL Cup

The United Football League Cup, also known as the UFL Cup, is an association football competition in the Philippines that annually starts and runs alongside the league every January.[28] The cup is a single-elimination tournament where clubs from both divisions of the UFL are eligible to compete. In addition, the competition is also open to local clubs in the country that have passed the requirements set by the Football Alliance.[29]

The UFL Cup was first held on October 2009, sanctioned by the National Capital Region Football Association (NCRFA) and the Philippine Football Federation (PFF).[30] The cup was originally formed to determine the distribution of clubs over the first and second divisions in its inaugural season. Philippine Air Force was the inaugural cup champions, defeating Philippine Army, 2–1.[31][32] For the 2012 cup, 28 clubs competed in four groups of five and in two separate stages.[33] Clubs from UFL Division 2, along with other guest teams, participated in the first stage of the cup. Teams from UFL Division 1, on the other hand, played during the second stage. After, the top 10 clubs moved on to the knockout stage of the 2013 PFF National Men's Club Championship. Stallion FC defeated Global FC in the finals of the said cup with a score of 2–1. Stallion FC captain Ruben Doctora, Jr. and Rufo Sánchez scored one goal apiece to upset Global.[34]

Club Won Runner-up Years won Years runner-up
Philippine Air Force212011, 20092010
Global FC1120102012
Loyola Meralco Sparks1120132011
Stallion FC1 2012
Philippine Army 1 2009

UFL FA Cup

Main article: UFL FA Cup

The United Football League Football Alliance Cup, also known as the UFL FA Cup, is an annual knockout cup competition in Philippine football, considered as the culminating tournament of each UFL season.[23] In 22 April 2014, it was officially announced that the league's version of a Super Cup would be held annually after the end of each league competition. Its participants would be the top six clubs of the first division. UFL president Randy Roxas said that the FA Cup was supposed to include foreign teams competing against the UFL Cup and league champions. However, he explained that inviting foreign teams became too expensive.[35]

The FA Cup was first introduced to conclude the 2014 season. The league champion and runner-up of that season received byes to the cup's semi-finals, while the other four clubs competed in two-legged knockout games.[36] Global defeated Kaya, 3–1, on 26 July 2014 to capture the first ever FA Cup.[37] During this inaugural tournament, the league also implemented its foreigner cap rule, which means that only five foreign players were allowed for each club during their matches. This number would be further reduced to four players in the succeeding years.[38]

Year Winner Runner-up Result Date Venue City
2014GlobalKaya3–126.07.14Rizal Memorial StadiumManila

History

Origins and foundation

In September 2009, with the aim of reviving the interest of Filipinos in the sport, the Football Alliance, composed of Santi Araneta, Randy Roxas, Phil Hagedorn, Javier Mantecon, Dong Longa, Mike Camahort, Monchu Garcia, and Christopher Hagedorn, discussed the possibility of creating a football league in the Philippines.[39] At the time, the Filipino Premier League, the country's top level football league governed by the Philippine Football Federation, has already been discontinued after its inaugural season. But instead of creating a whole system and competition, the United Football Clubs Association agreed to partner with the Football Alliance in operating the United Football League, which was then a semi-professional league.[40]

Corporate backing and sponsorship

Local courier company LBC became the principal sponsor of the UFL in 2009

The first season of the United Football League, officially named then as LBC United Football League for sponsorship reasons, was made possible with the aid of several local companies, namely: LBC Express Inc., Magma Inflatables, 2GO, Mutual Fund Management Corp., Orient Freight, and ATR Kim Eng.[41]

Since its inception, UFL Division 1 has received corporate sponsorship. After air cargo delivery service company LBC Express Inc. committed as its principal sponsor in October 2009, the league kicked off as a premier tournament composed of several football teams around the nation.[42]

Founding members

The inaugural year of the league was held in the 2010 season, and was originally composed of 16 local clubs. The 16 founding teams of the league are the following:

Expansion year and TV coverage

After the end of 2011 season, AKTV became the league's new TV partner with the signing of a P150 million (~$3.4 million), 5-year deal with two live matches every week.[43] Seven new clubs also entered the league after its successful third season of United Football Cup. Agila FC, Cebu Queen City, Diliman, Forza FC, Laos FC, Pachanga, and Team Socceroo participated in the UFL Division 2, which started on 14 January 2012.[44] Three clubs from the second division were also promoted to the first division, namely: Nomads, Pasargad, and Stallion.[45]

In December 2011, UFL president Randy Roxas entered into discussions with the Philippine Football Federation regarding the possibility of sending the league champions to the AFC President's Cup, a regional club competition that is run by the Asian Football Confederation.[46] In addition, Pasargad represented the league and the Philippines in the 2013 AFC Futsal Club Championship qualifiers.[47]

The league struck a deal to use the artificial pitch that was constructed by real estate giant Megaworld Corporation at McKinley Hill, Taguig City in April 2012. The field was then known as the McKinley Hill Football Field. Work on the football field was set to be completed by September of the same year, just in time for the start of the 2013 season. This was followed by the construction of a grandstand that accommodates 2,000 people.[48]

Stadium and officiating developments

UFL president Randy Roxas announced in December 2012 the completion of the McKinley Hill football field in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig. The $1-million artificial pitch became the new home of the league starting the 2013 season. The field was built in partnership with Megaworld Corporation, and is said to be up to FIFA standards.[49] The first two weeks of the tournament, which included the opening games scheduled on 5 February 2013, were still played at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, but most of the matches of the league were played at the said artificial pitch after the Chinese New Year.[50]

The UFL started to use Megaworld's Emperador Stadium in 9 February 2013.[51] The first league game in the stadium, Dolphins United versus Cebu Queen City United, got cancelled as the latter forfeited the match. The second match slated for the same day, Philippine Air Force against Nomads FC, became the first official league game in the stadium. Nomads FC won, 1–0, against Philippine Air Force.[52]

In an effort to hold matches outside Metro Manila, United Football League marketing manager Coco Torre confirmed in 30 January 2013 that the league entered into discussions with its broadcast partner, AKTV, on the possibility of staging a few games in the provinces.[53] During this time, UFL assistant technical director Ritchie Gannaban said that they considered staging at least two provincial matches during the second round of the 2013 season, which was supposed to be played either at the Cebu City Sports Complex, Cebu City or at Panaad Stadium, Bacolod City.[54]

In cooperation with the Philippine Football Federation, the league directed its referees to undergo a training module to better their decision making and player management. The training was facilitated by Football Association of Singapore committee member Augustine Arlando, a former FIFA match official, and Football Association national referee tutor Dave Roberts.[55]

Refinements in league structure

In November 2013, the UFL started charging for admission during the knockout stages of the 2013 cup competition.[56] The league partnered with online ticket company Ticketworld in selling the tickets, priced at P100 for the grandstand and P50 for the bleachers. UFL president Randy Roxas said that the league decided to start selling match tickets to give more value to the games. In addition, Roxas explained that the selling of tickets is also in compliance with the requirements of the Asian Football Confederation, which the UFL wants follow for the league to be recognized in the international scene.[57]

The UFL introduced the UFL FA League Cup in its calendar so that the start of each season would be in September.[58] The move aligns the league's schedule with those in the ASEAN Football Federation. The FA League Cup pushes both the cup and league competitions to January every year, which aligns to the schedules of leagues in the Southeast Asian region such as the Malaysia Super League and V.League 1. Twenty clubs from both divisions participated in the 2014 FA League Cup.

To promote football awareness in the country, the UFL conducted mall tours around Metro Manila in June 2014 before the start of the 2014 FA League Cup.[59] Several UFL players conducted football clinics in a number of shopping malls, which include the Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall in Cainta, Rizal, SM City Fairview in Quezon City, and Robinsons Place in Manila.

In September 2014, UFL general manager Rely San Agustin announced the plans of holding an all-star event to showcase the growing number of UFL stars within the 2015 season. In addition, San Agustin also hinted on the a possibility of staging the first provincial game in the Visayas region.[60]

Past league champions

Results by year

Season Champion Runners-up Third place
2010
 Philippine Air Force Kaya Union FC
2011
 Philippine Air Force Global Philippine Army
2012
 Global Kaya Loyola Meralco Sparks
2013
 Stallion Global Loyola Meralco Sparks
2014
 Global Loyola Meralco Sparks Kaya

Titles by club

Rank Club Number of titles Years of titles
1
 Global
2
 2012, 2014
Philippine Air Force
2
 2010, 2011
2
 Stallion
1
 2013
Note: Bold indicates clubs currently playing in the first division.

Current members

Since its inception, including the 2015 season, a total of 21 clubs have played in the UFL Division 1. Four clubs have been members of the first division for every season since the league's inception, namely: Global, Green Archers United, Kaya, and Philippine Army GTI. The following 10 clubs will be competing in UFL Division 1 based on the 2014 season:

Club Founded Head coach Team captain Kitmaker Shirt sponsor 2014 position
Ceres
2012
 South Korea Cha Soungyooung Philippines Juan Luis Guirado Adidas Ceres Liner 1st in UFL Division 2
Globala, b
2000
 Scotland Leigh Manson Philippines Misagh Bahadoran Accel Smart Communications 1st
Green Archers Uniteda, b
1998
 Philippines Rodolfo Alicante Philippines Christian Pasilan Mizuno Globe Telecom 5th
Kayaa, b
1996
 Vacant Philippines Alexander Borromeo LGR Athletic LBC Express, Inc. 3rd
Loyola Meralco Sparksa, b
2006
 Scotland Simon McMenemy Philippines James Younghusband LGR Athletic Meralco 2nd
Manila Jeepney
2013
 South Korea Kim Chul-Su Iran Jaham Taher LGR Athletic Cord Marine Epoxy 2nd in UFL Division 2
Pachanga Diliman
1998
 Japan Yuki Matsuda Italy Davide Cortina Umbro PLDT HOME Fibr 6th
Philippine Army GTIa, b, c
1960
 Philippines Patricio Bumidang Philippines Roel Gener LGR Athletic Artificial Turf Sejung 7th
Stallion
2001
 Philippines Ernest Nierras Philippines Ruben Doctora, Jr. Mizuno Giligan's Island Bar and Grill 4th
Team Socceroo
2005
 Philippines Franklin Cacacho South Korea Lee Jeong Woo Loro Sports Chevrolet 8th

For details on the current members of UFL Division 2, see here.

a: Founding member of the United Football League
b: Never relegated to UFL Division 2
c: One of the original eight Filipino Premier League clubs

Former clubs

Stallion
Origin of clubs in Western Visayas for the 2015 UFL Division 1

Venues

Most football clubs of the UFL use the 4,500 capacity Mckinley Hill Football Field as their main stadium.[51] Manila Nomads' home field, dubbed "Nomads Field," is in Parañaque. Primary venues used in the United Football League first division include the following:

Manila Taguig Makati
Rizal Memorial Football Stadium Emperador Stadium University of Makati Stadium
Capacity: 12,873[61] Capacity: 2,000[62] Capacity: 4,000[63][64]
Muntinlupa Taguig Parañaque
Alabang Country Club Turf BGC Nomads Field
Capacity: 1,000 Capacity: 1,000 Capacity: 3,000[62]

Players

Eligibility of foreign players

Starting the 2014 season, the UFL executive committee decided to implement a version of the foreign player rule. Under such rule, a club may only field in a maximum of five foreign players on the pitch at any given time. However, two of the six remaining players on the pitch may still be foreigners provided that they are permanent residents of the Philippines for at least five years.[65] In the first year of the rule's implementation, Manila Nomads had to voluntarily step down from UFL Division 1 to the second division due to the inability to comply with the foreign player rule.[12]

Individual awards

Emelio Caligdong won the Mr. Football Award twice with UFL club Philippine Air Force.

The most notable football-related individual award in the Philippines is the Footballer of the Year Award, also known as the PSA Mr. Football Award, given annually by the Philippine Sportswriters Association. This local version of the Mr. Football Award is given to Filipino footballers who made the most impact for the sport.[66] Phil Younghusband and Emelio Caligdong were the first to receive such award while playing for UFL clubs Loyola Meralco Sparks and Philippine Air Force, respectively.[67] Below is a complete list of those who won the award while playing for UFL clubs.

Year Player Club
2011
[68]
 Emelio Caligdong Philippine Air Force
Phil Younghusband Loyola Meralco Sparks
2012
[69]
 Eduard Sacapaño Philippine Army GTI
Emelio Caligdong Philippine Air Force
Note: Bold denotes players still playing in the UFL.

Honours

Golden Ball award

The UFL Golden Ball Award is the league's equivalent for the Most Valuable Player award. The award has been given since the 2012 season after the league's expansion to two divisions. Spanish–Filipino footballer Carli de Murga of Global was awarded the inaugural Golden Ball for the first division. Freddy Gonzalez of Pachanga, on the other hand, won it the same year for the second division.[70]

Year
Player
Position
Club
2012 Philippines Carli de Murga Midfielder Global FC
2013 Spain Rufo Sánchez Forward Stallion FC
2014 Philippines Jason de Jong Midfielder Global FC

Golden Boot winners

The UFL Golden Boot is awarded to the footballer who has scored the most number of goals in a single season. Izzeldin El Habbib, while playing for Kaya FC, was given the league's first golden boot at the end of the 2010 season.

Season Player Club Goals
2010 Sudan Izzeldin El Habbib Kaya Unknown
2011 Sudan Izzeldin El Habbib Global 10
2012 Philippines Phil Younghusband Loyola Meralco Sparks 23
2013 Spain Rufo Sánchez Stallion FC 18
2014 Philippines Mark Hartmann Global 27

Golden Glove trophy

The UFL Golden Glove is an annual association football award presented to the best goalkeeper who has kept the most clean sheets in UFL Division 1.[70] Roland Sadia of Global FC won the award twice consecutively in 2013 and 2014.

Year
Player
Club
2012 Iran Saba Garmaroudi Kaya
2013 Ivory Coast Roland Sadia Global
2014 Ivory Coast Roland Sadia Global

For the list of UFL Division 2 honours, see here.

Media coverage

The UFL has an exclusive broadcasting agreement with AksyonTV, which is owned and operated by ABC Development Corporation. Originally, the league signed a 5-year agreement with AKTV after the end of the 2011 season worth P150 million to air two live matches every week.[71] However, on April 11, 2013, TV5 announced that its blocktime agreement with IBC will not be renewed, which means that AKTV would cease broadcasting on May 31 of the same year. [72] Thus, broadcasts of the UFL were moved to AksyonTV.[73][74]

Official match ball

See also

References

  1. ↑ "UFL Season 2013 kick off on February 8, 2013". UFLphilippines.com.ph. UFL Philippines. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  2. ↑ Jamlang, Josue (22 January 2010). "Are you ready for UFL 2010?". PhilStar.com (The Philippine Star). Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  3. ↑ Joey Villar (30 May 2014). "UFL matches on Sports 5". Philstar Online. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  4. ↑ Jack Biantan (18 February 2011). "Biantan: Time for SMC to help footie". Sun Star. Retrieved 12 February 2011.
  5. ↑ Henson, Joaquin (12 February 2011). "Another windfall in store for Phl XI". PhilStar.com (The Philippine Star). Retrieved 12 February 2011.
  6. ↑ Jack Biantan (2 January 2011). "Welcome 2011". Sun Star. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  7. ↑ Biantan, Jack (14 February 2011). "Biantan: Do not rush". Sun Star (Sun Star Cebu). Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  8. ↑ "Upcoming 2014 League Brings Exciting Additions To UFL". UFL.ph. 4 January 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  9. ↑ Geli, Cheska D. (26 January 2011). "Cebuano Azkal changes goal". Sun Star. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  10. ↑ Guerrero, Bob (1 February 2013). "UFL League kicking off with big changes". Yahoo! Philippines Sports. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  11. ↑ Karl Decena (24 June 2014). "Ceres, Manila Jeepney earn promotion to UFL’s first division for next season". InterAksyon.com (TV5/ABC Development Corporation). Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Upcoming 2014 League Brings Exciting Additions To UFL". UFL.ph. 4 January 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  13. ↑ "Green light for Global". The-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  14. ↑ Decena, Karl (4 January 2013). "UFL champion Global FC to compete in AFC President’s Cup". interaksyon.com (AKTV/TV5). Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  15. ↑ Villar, Joey (4 January 2013). "Global to see action in AFC President's Cup". PhilStar.com (The Philippine Star). Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  16. ↑ "Global FC becomes first Philippine club in AFC President's Cup". GMA News Online (Global Media Arts Network Inc.). 3 January 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  17. ↑ "Ceres repeats as SMART PFF National Football Champions". The Passionate Fan - Yahoo Sports Philippines. 21 December 2013.
  18. ↑ "Asean Super League to kick off in 2015". New Straits Times. 3 April 2013.
  19. ↑ "Global FC to represent Philippines in AFC Cup as Ceres-La Salle gains playoff berth". 13 December 2014.
  20. ↑ "United Football Cup". UFL Philippines. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  21. ↑ "Six matches kick off LBC-UFL Cup". The Philippine Star. 17 October 2009. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
  22. ↑ "UFL Introduces New Additions to Exciting Upcoming Season". UFL.ph (Manila). 3 September 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 http://ufl.ph/ (June 18, 2014). "UFL Launches Mall Tour in Support of Football Alliance Cup". UFL Philippines (Manila). Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  24. ↑ Dimalanta, Mark (19 August 2011). "UFL aligns schedule with ASEAN neighbors, to kick off season with new FA League Cup in September". Interaksyon.com. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  25. ↑ http://ufl.ph/ (Sep 3, 2014). "UFL Introduces New Additions to Exciting Upcoming Season". UFL Philippines (Manila). Retrieved Sep 4, 2014.
  26. ↑ UFL Philippines (18 Aug 2014). "New FA League Cup Marks Start of ASEAN-geared 2014-15 UFL Season". UFL Philippines (ufl.ph). Retrieved 5 Sep 2014.
  27. ↑ UFL Philippines (3 Sep 2014). "UFL Introduces New Additions to Exciting Upcoming Season". UFL Philippines (ufl.ph). Retrieved 5 Sep 2014.
  28. ↑ Olivares, Rick (7 August 2011). "UFL Cup to kick off with smashing changes’". Business Mirror (Manila). Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  29. ↑ de Guzman, Mikhail (14 July 2011). "Calling All Clubs! The UFL Needs YOU!". Soccer Central Philippines. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
  30. ↑ "Six matches kick off LBC-UFL Cup". The Philippine Star. 17 Oct 2009. Retrieved 23 Oct 2011.
  31. ↑ Schöggl, Hans. "Philippines 2009/10". RSSSF. Retrieved Oct 19, 2011.
  32. ↑ "Air Force Rider Crowned Champions of Inaugural UFL-LBC Cup". pfsa.cebufa.org. Retrieved Oct 21, 2011.
  33. ↑ Olivares, Rick. "Twenty-eight teams to vie for the 2012 UFL Cup". Retrieved 14 September 2012.
  34. ↑ Decena, Karl (17 December 2012). "Stallion wins UFL Cup in upset over Global". InterAKTV.ph (Associated Broadcasting Company (TV5)).
  35. ↑ Fenix, Ryan (24 April 2014). "Rampaging Fullback: UFL Super Cup means more football joy for everybody". InterAKTV (Interaksyon.com). Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  36. ↑ Decena, Karl (22 April 2014). "Top six UFL teams to contest Super Cup in June". InterAKTV (Interaksyon.com). Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  37. ↑ Jaelle Nevin Reyes (2014-07-27). "Global FC downs Kaya to win UFL FA Charity Cup title". http://www.rappler.com/'' (http://www.rappler.com/). Retrieved 2014-07-28.
  38. ↑ Villar, Joey (21 April 2014). "UFL announces ‘Super Cup’". x (Philstar.com). Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  39. ↑ Jamlang, Josue (6 February 2011). "The Football Alliance: Philippine football’s miracle workers". interaksyon.com (AKTV/TV5). Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  40. ↑ Velasco, Bill (21 September 2009). "A football renaissance". PhilStar.com (The Philippine Star). Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  41. ↑ Henson, Joaquin (24 September 2009). "Boost for football". PhilStar.com (The Philippine Star). Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  42. ↑ "UFCA, Football Alliance and the United Football League". Football Alliance. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  43. ↑ Jarloc, Glaiza (20 September 2011). "Football matches air on AKTV starting October". Sun Star (Sun Star Manila). Retrieved 22 October 2011.
  44. ↑ de Guzman, Mikhail (15 December 2011). "Seven New Clubs Enter UFL 2nd Division". Soccer Central Philippines. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  45. ↑ Tupas, Cedelf (18 December 2011). "UFL promotes three teams to first division". Inquirer.net (The Philippine Daily Inquirer). Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  46. ↑ Leyba, Olmin (14 December 2011). "UFL champ to vie in AFC Pres Cup?". PhilStar.com (The Philippine Star). Retrieved 27 December 2011.
  47. ↑ Decena, Karl (16 February 2013). "Pasargad to compete in AFC club futsal". Interaksyon.com (AKTV). Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  48. ↑ InterAKTV (24 April 2012). "UFL partners with Megaworld for new football homefield". interaksyon.com (AKTV/TV5). Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  49. ↑ Sacamos, Karlo (26 December 2012). "UFL finally finds a home". SPIN.ph (Sport Interactive Network Philippines). Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  50. ↑ Decena, Karl (31 January 2013). "Mckinley Hill Football Field set as new UFL venue, but Rizal Stadium to hold openers". InterAKTV (Interaksyon.com). Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 Decena, Karl (9 February 2013). "UFL debuts in new Emperador Stadium in McKinley Hill". InterAKTV (Interaksyon.com). Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  52. ↑ Decena, Karl (10 February 2013). "Cebu Queen City no-shows UFL debut match in new Emperador Stadium". InterAKTV (Interaksyon.com). Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  53. ↑ Decena, Karl (30 January 2013). "It’s more fun in the provinces: Can UFL push its brand of football outside Metro Manila?". InterAKTV (Interaksyon.com). Retrieved 30 January 2013.
  54. ↑ Decena, Karl (1 February 2013). "UFL eyes two provincial matches for upcoming League competition". InterAKTV (Interaksyon.com). Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  55. ↑ de Guzman, Mikhail (23 March 2013). "UFL referees undergo training". Soccer Central Philippines. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  56. ↑ Sacamos, Karlo (8 November 2013). "UFL to start selling tickets for live games". Spin.ph. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  57. ↑ Decena, Karl (8 November 2013). "UFL to start charging tickets for matches". Interaksyon.com. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  58. ↑ "UFL aligns schedule with ASEAN neighbors, to kick off season with new FA League Cup in September". Interaksyon.com. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  59. ↑ Decena, Karl (19 June 2014). "UFL teams go on mall tours to promote Pinoy football". Interaksyon.com. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  60. ↑ Vidal, Reuel (19 August 2014). "UFL promises exciting season for football fans". Manila Standard Today Online. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  61. ↑ Leyba, Olmin (21 June 2011). "Rizal can only seat 13,000". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  62. ↑ 62.0 62.1 "Stadiums in the Philippines". WorldStadiums.com. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  63. ↑ "University of Makati Stadium". sports.opera.com. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  64. ↑ "University of Makati Stadium". soccerway.com. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  65. ↑ "2013/14 UFL Cup Participation Guidelines". Facebook.com. 9 July 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  66. ↑ "Caligdong, Sacapano get nod as PSA's 'Mr Football'". Spin.ph (Sports Interactive Network Philippines). 8 March 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  67. ↑ Calapre, Frank (13 February 2012). "PSA names Phil, Chieffy Mr. Football". Sun.Star Publishing, Inc. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  68. ↑ Calapre, Frank (13 February 2012). "PSA names Phil, Chieffy Mr. Football". Sun.Star Publishing, Inc. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  69. ↑ "Caligdong, Sacapano get nod as PSA's 'Mr Football'". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. 8 March 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  70. ↑ 70.0 70.1 Tupas, Cedelf (27 June 2012). "Global bags UFL crown". Inquirer.net (The Philippine Daily Inquirer). Retrieved 17 December 2012.
  71. ↑ Jarloc, Glaiza (20 September 2011). "Football matches air on AKTV starting October". Sun Star (Sun Star Manila). Retrieved 22 October 2011.
  72. ↑ MediaQuest block time agreement with IBC ends in May, MVP says retrieved April 11, 2013
  73. ↑ "ATC Takes a Bite at Philippine TV Primetime". NegoSentro. May 14, 2014. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  74. ↑ "Channel 13 back in harness". Manila Standard Today. April 26, 2014. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  75. ↑ "MOLTEN VG-5000A - official match ball of the United Football League Philippines". UFL official Facebook page. 2012-03-16. Retrieved 2013-03-21.

External links