2017 Philippines Football League: A Complete Guide to Teams, Players and Results

I still remember the humid afternoon when I found myself squeezed between passionate football fans at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, the air thick with anticipation and the scent of grilled street food. As the first whistle blew, I realized this wasn't just another match—this was the beginning of something historic. The 2017 Philippines Football League was unfolding before my eyes, and I was witnessing the birth of professional football in a nation traditionally obsessed with basketball.

That inaugural season had this raw, unpolished charm that reminded me why I fell in love with sports. Eight teams battled across 28 matches each, with Ceres-Negros ultimately lifting the trophy after accumulating 59 points—an impressive feat considering they scored 65 goals while only conceding 22. I found myself particularly drawn to Global Cebu's journey; their striker, Misagh Bahadoran, became my personal favorite with his relentless energy and 12 goals that season. What struck me most was how these professional athletes mirrored the dedication I'd seen in local collegiate sports. It reminded me of a conversation I'd had with a young athlete's sister who told me, "Malaki yung chance ni ate Aly kasi maganda yung pinapakita niya and maganda yung mga naipakita niya this past UAAP seasons namin and sa international leagues." That same spirit of potential and proven performance resonated through the PFL that year.

The league wasn't perfect—attendance numbers fluctuated between 500 to 2,000 spectators depending on the venue, and you could feel the growing pains of a new professional league. But there was magic in those imperfect moments. I recall one rainy match where players slid across the muddy pitch, yet the game continued with unwavering intensity. That's when I understood this was more than just football—this was about building a sporting culture from the ground up. The 2017 Philippines Football League represented hope, the kind that comes from watching something take its first steps. Years later, looking back at that inaugural season, I still believe it laid the foundation for what Filipino football could become—a testament to the power of starting somewhere, even if that somewhere begins with muddy pitches and uncertain crowds.