MANILA, Philippines – The expanded 2024 Philippines Football League Season opens this weekend with seven matches on tap in two cities.
Defending champion Kaya FC Iloilo won’t be in action until Sunday, but there’s plenty to look forward to on opening day as three matches are on tap at the Rizal Memorial Stadium while Dynamic Herb Cebu hosts returning Loyola in Cebu.
Newcomer Manila Digger battles Philippine Army in the first match of the season at 3 p.m. with both clubs looking to start strong.
Founded by Manila-based Chinese football enthusiasts, Digger has a good mix of local and foreign talent ready to make their mark this season.
They will be facing an Army side that will rely on several former collegiate standouts.
Meanwhile, Mendiola FC 1991 takes on Philippine Air Force in the 5:30 p.m. match.
The Airmen ruled Philippine club football in the past, but they have largely been in the periphery in the last few years.
A return to the PFL means the Airmen are dead serious in reclaiming their rightful place in Philippine football.
Mendiola finished fourth last season with 15 points on five victories. The squad is made up of San Beda alumni and current Red Lions who won the NCAA title just last month.
The last match on Saturday pits Tuloy FC and Maharlika Taguig FC.
An expansion club in 2020, Maharlika hopes to finally make noise this year as the club finished fifth last season.
Tuloy’s entry in the PFL marks the second time the club will be joining senior competition following participation in last year’s Copa. Based in Alabang, Muntinlupa, the club develops young talents through the Tuloy Foundation, a community that has been home to indigent youths.
Three more matches are set on Sunday with Kaya battling United City FC in an early showdown of powerhouse clubs set at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.
UCFC pulled out of the league last season, but has since returned to rekinlde their rivalry with Kaya, which rolled to its first PFL title last year.
Garelli United FC, Don Bosco’s alumni team, will meet with a rejuvenated Stallion FC side in the first match on Sunday at 3 p.m., while Manila Montet FC makes its debut against One Taguig FC in the 8 p.m. match.