Kaya FC-Iloilo ready for Copa Paulino Alcantara
THE first edition of the Copa Paulino Alcantara kicks off this weekend. And for Kaya FC-Iloilo, all is set as it tries to make waves in it and in the process honor the native son the tournament was named for.
Sailing off on Sept. 1, the Copa Paulino Alcantara will see all six teams in the Philippines Football League, divided into two groups, competing and trying to win the title and earn a spot in the 2019 AFC Cup.
Making up Group A are two-time PFL champion Ceres-Negros FC, Stallion Laguna FC and Davao Aguilas FC while Group B has Kaya, JPV Marikina FC and Global Cebu FC.
Tournament format has the top two teams in each group advancing to the crossover knockout semifinals. The finals is also a one-game proceeding.
After finishing second in the 2018 season of the PFL, Kaya said it is turning to the Copa as an opportunity to complete some unfinished business with a possible return to the AFC Cup while also making Iloilo, where football legend Alcantara was born, proud.
“It’s an honor to represent Iloilo in the Copa Paulino Alcantara. We want to honor Paulino Alcantara, who was born in Iloilo,” said Kaya head coach Noel Marcaida, referring Spanish-Filipino footballer Alcantara, who played for FC Barcelona.
“It’s a new tournament. Whatever the result of the league, it doesn’t matter anymore. Going into the cup, we’ll be playing against teams — especially Global FC — that will be completely different. The approach of Kaya in the cup is: no complacency. We have to approach every game with the intention to play to our full capacity,” he added, underscoring the mindset they have.
Copa Paulino Alcantara matches will be played from Sept. 1 to Oct. 27 in various venues, including Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila and the Philippine Football Federation Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.
Matches will be streamed live over PFLTV.ph.
Kicking off proceedings on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium are Kaya and Global in Group B at 4 p.m. and Davao against Ceres in Group A at 7 p.m. —