GAU laments Meralco Manila's folding, calls PFF to review PFL admission requirements

Green Archers United made the decision not to join the PFL last year as one of the founding members, and it turned out to be a wise one. Michael Joseph Romero (file) 

By Kevin Estrada

MANILA -- 2018 would come at bad time already for Philippine football, as just eight days into the new year, Meralco Manila shockingly exited the PFL, leaving a huge gap for the second season in February.

Sympathies flowed like tidal waves as the capital club folded after 11 years, the last eight of which are in the top flight which they won two cups in their stint.

And with the Sparks' untimely demise from the game, a former rival has turned to social media to explain why they chose not to join the top-flight since last year.

Despite public clamor and initial agreement to the terms, Green Archers United have not joined the league for the inaugural season, citing numerous inquiries that left unanswered by the PFF with regards to requirements for admission in the PFL.

The Lasallian outfit, who last saw top-flight action in the old UFL in 2016, has this to say on Twitter hours after MVP had pulled the power supply on the former Smart Cup champs.

After the high point of the UFL and Azkals success, this is a sad sad day for PH football. GAU FC empathize with all the fans & supporters of this great club. We call on the PFF to rethink their onerous requirements for joining the PFL. @LMSFC_Youth @FCMeralcoManila

— Green Archers United (@GAU_ANIMO) January 8, 2018

Citing their social media comments, the club had already knew that the league will have a rough start, with their decision on not joining the top flight being widely commended as the days have gone by, even up to this day, where they were asked if they are joining for the second season, which will only have seven teams signing up as of this writing.

We are ready & waiting for PFF to come out w/ consistent rules. This season we opted to defer as we were unsure of raising the P4.5M per year franchise fee. Imagine how we feel now knowing the PFL clubs only paid P1.5M max. GAUFC follows the rukes, PFF should as well.

— Green Archers United (@GAU_ANIMO) December 30, 2017

Instead of joining the PFL, Chieffy Caligdong and co. instead took part in the first running of the Weekend Futbol League Elite where they finished runner-up to Kaya Makati's reserves, as Manila's reserve squad ended up dead last with no points to show after their withdrawal.

Follow him on Twitter: @KevinLEstrada