By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr.

Ceres-Negros FC begins their Philippines Football League (PFL) title defense on March 3, when the 2018 season opens. The league will be comprised of six clubs, following exits of FC Meralco Manila and Ilocos United FC during the off season.

Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President Mariano Araneta recently confirmed the league calendar; fixtures; and competition format, which will be comprised of two rounds of home and away matches, along with a final round.

A total 75 league matches will be played.

Fixtures will be formally announced by the end of the week.

Just like the past inaugural season, the league champion will qualify for the AFC Champions League preliminary round. An additional competition will also be introduced, the PFL Cup, which will run from September to October, with the winner earning a berth in the AFC Cup.

Meanwhile, former Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Development Officer Sujit Manjuran conducted a PFL Competitions Management System workshop for the six clubs, which will streamline league competition management.

The 2018 PFL match commissioner and club workshop is also scheduled to take place later this month./JSG, WDJ