Mendy powers Kaya past JPV

ROBERT LOPEZ MENDY struck the lone goal as 10-man Kaya FC-Iloilo downed JPV Marikina FC, 1-0, securing the home field advantage in the semifinals of the 2018 Copa Paulino Alcantara on Wednesday at the PFF National Training Center Artificial Turf Pitch in Carmona, Cavite.

Senegalese striker Mendy scored just five minutes into the game then the shorthanded Lions overcame defender Camelo Tacusalme’s ejection in the second half to top Group B and arrange a semifinal fixture at the Iloilo Sports Complex.

“It was a hard-fought battle to get the number one spot in the group, but we’re happy that the objective was met. We’ll be playing the semifinals in Iloilo on Sunday,” said Kaya Iloilo head coach Noel Marcaida.

“It’s been a long while not playing in Iloilo, and all the Ilonggos are expecting us to come back. We’re happy, we’re hungry and we can’t wait to play in Iloilo,” he added.

Kaya finished the group stage with 10 points built on an unbeaten slate of three wins and a draw.

Over at the Biñan Football Stadium, Davao Aguilas Bellmare FC routed Stallion Laguna FC, 4-0, to rule Group A.

Star striker Phil Younghusband and Korean forward Sung Min Kim netted a brace apiece to power the Aguilas to the top seed with 10 points on three victories and a stalemate.

Younghusband fired in the 42nd and 83rd minutes even as Kim buried his goals in the 71st and 85th.

Davao Aguilas and Kaya Iloilo will take on runners-up JPV Marikina at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila and Stallion Laguna at the Iloilo pitch, respectively, in the final four.

The Voltes wound up with six points on two wins against as many losses while the Stallions had four makers on a win and a draw against two defeats.