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I remember first hearing about the Philippines Football League back in 2017 when it launched, and I have to admit I was skeptical about how it would fare. Football has always played second fiddle to basketball in the Philippines, but something about that inaugural season caught my attention. The league brought together eight teams from across the country, creating this beautiful mosaic of regional football cultures that I found absolutely fascinating. What struck me most was how these teams represented different corners of the archipelago - from Ceres-Negros in the Visayas to Davao Aguilas in Mindanao, each bringing their unique flavor to the pitch.
The season unfolded with some incredible drama that kept me checking standings weekly. Ceres-Negros absolutely dominated the table, finishing with what I recall was around 57 points from 21 matches - an impressive feat that saw them lose only twice throughout the entire season. I found myself particularly drawn to their matches because of their attacking style, something that reminded me of the excitement I feel watching European clubs. Meanwhile, Global Cebu put up a respectable fight, though they trailed significantly behind with what I believe was about 38 points. The mid-table battle between teams like Kaya FC and JPV Marikina created this fascinating subplot where every match felt crucial.
What really made me fall in love with that season though was discovering the human stories behind the statistics. I remember reading about Aly Borromeo and how her performances in both UAAP and international leagues were generating buzz. The quote about her having "malaki yung chance" because of her beautiful performances stuck with me - it showed how local talent was beginning to emerge and capture people's imagination. This wasn't just about imported players; it was about homegrown talent starting to shine on a bigger stage. I found myself rooting for these local players in a way I hadn't expected, checking their social media for updates and feeling genuinely excited when they performed well.
The league's structure itself was quite interesting with its home-and-away format, though I'll admit the geographical challenges sometimes led to scheduling quirks that frustrated me as a fan wanting consistent match times. Teams like Ilocos United and Stallion Laguna brought regional pride to the forefront in ways that reminded me why I love sports - there's something special about seeing communities rally behind their local squads. The matches between Ceres and Global became the highlight fixtures for me, developing into this proper rivalry that had me planning my weekends around them.
Looking back, the 2017 season wasn't perfect - attendance could be sparse at times and the broadcast quality had room for improvement - but it laid this crucial foundation that I believe will benefit Philippine football for years to come. The emergence of young talents, the establishment of proper club structures, and most importantly, the creation of meaningful football narratives across different regions gave me hope that football could carve out its own space in the Philippine sports landscape. I still follow the league today, and I often find myself comparing current developments to that foundational 2017 season that first got me hooked.