League cup named for Ilonggo footballer

By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr.

Following a recent board meeting, Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President Mariano Araneta, who also chairs Liga Futbol, Inc. (LFI), said LFI, which governs the Philippines Football League (PFL), is currently securing a broadcast partner in order to air live matches.

“We have approved a lot of things, like the budget for the live coverage of games, and we hope the league and the clubs will benefit from it,” he said.

Araneta hopes the live broadcasts will “further bring the league closer to the fans.”

The state-run PTV was initially slated to air the PFL’s inaugural season last year; however, for undisclosed reasons, the network was unable to sustain regular coverage.

Meanwhile, the LPI Board approved the name for the league’s annual cup competition, dubbed the Copa Paulino Alcántara, named for Iloilo-born Paulino Alcántara, who played for FC Barcelona. Considered Barça’s “first star player,” he amassed a total 369 goals in 357 matches in his career with the Catalan club – an average of one goal per match.

The competition is expected to begin later this year, with the winner securing a spot in next year’s AFC Cup./JSG, WDJ