ADT withdrawing from PFL

The ADT's season comes to an end. PFL (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—After days of online speculations, the Azkals Development Team confirmed that it will not finish the PFL season and will withdraw from competition.

According to the ADT, recent developments led to their decision to pull out from the PFL.

"ADT was formed to complement the Philippine Football Federation's efforts to continuously prepare young Filipino athletes for international competitions, including the Southeast Asian Games. While our entire organization would have preferred to be in a more optimal situation, events imposed upon us in recent weeks have compelled us to take this action," the team said on Tuesday night.

The ADT did not disclose the real reason about its disbanding, although the core of the squad was called up for the U-22 Azkals team to the Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh that crashed to the bottom of Group A with only a draw to show.

The team, however, vowed that its quest to develop future football stars continues with Stephan Schrock's Azkals Development Academy.

According to the PFL, the ADT's remaining games will be declared forfeitures with each opponent getting automatic 3-0 wins.

This includes Mendiola, which was supposed to be the ADT's opponent last Saturday, and Cebu, the Nationals' opponent this Saturday.

Cebu, which is chasing the championship, is now on 50 points with only a clash against Stallion Laguna on Wednesday remaining in its schedule.

Cebu can overtake Kaya-Iloilo momentarily for first place with a win at the Dynamic Herb Sports Complex in Talisay City, although Kaya-Iloilo could clinch the title on Saturday also against Stallion Laguna at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno