•—ƒ”˜‰‹—˜‡ƒ• ‹–ƒŽ‘Ž‹’‘ƒǦ
Kaya Futbol ClubIloilo survived a second half surge by StallionLaguna FC for a 3-2 escape in the 2022 Copa Paulino Alcantara on Monday at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.
Carlyle Mitchell and Ilonggos Shirmar Felongco and Jhan Jesus Melliza scored a goal each in the opening half as KayaIloilo stayed on top with 13 points on four wins and a draw.
Mitchell opened the scoring for Kaya-Iloilo with a header from Melliza cross at the 11th minute. The lead was quickly doubled at the 19th minute with Felongco scoring past the keeper.
After assisting on Kaya-Iloilo’s first two goals, Melliza took it upon himself at the 28th minute as he beat the entire Stallion-Laguna backline down the field to score this and make it 3-0.
Stallion-Laguna became aggressive in the second half as it cut the deficit to 1-3 with a conversion from Abou Sy. It was followed by another goal from
Matthew Nierras to trim it further to 2-3.
With the momentum on their side, StallionLaguna continued its aggression in the last 20 minutes but the defending champions Kaya-Iloilo tightened its defense to preserve the slim win.
Stallion-Laguna remained at sixth place in the standings, far from the top four that wil advance in the next round, with two points, on two draws and two losses.
In the second game, Dynamic Herb Cebu Football Club went on a goal spree in the second half to score a come-from-behind 3-1 triumph over Mendiola 1991 Football Club.
Down 1-0 at the half after a goal by Mendiola’s Hamed Hajimehdi, Dynamic Herb notched back-toback goals from Arda Çinkir for a 2-1 edge. Mert Altinöz sealed the win with a late goal.
Dynamic Herb moved up to second place in the standings with nine points on three victories, while Mendiola 1991 is at last place with two points on two draws and four losses./ASC,