By Jonas Terrado
Games Saturday
(Aboitiz Pitch, Lipa City)
4 p.m. — Kaya vs Air Force
7 p.m. — Ceres vs Mendiola
Game Sunday
(Aboitiz Pitch, Lipa City)
4 p.m. — PH U-22 vs Green Archers
Defending champion Kaya-Iloilo, Philippines Football League winner Ceres-Negros and the national U-22 team look to start their title bids on the right track as the Copa Paulino Alcantara kicks off this weekend at the Aboitiz Pitch in Lipa City, Batangas.
Ceres-Negros players celebrate after receiving the Philippines Football League championship trophy after Saturday’s match against Kaya-Iloilo. (Photo from Ceres-Negros)
Kaya takes on Air Force and Ceres meets Mendiola FC 1991 on Saturday before the Philippine team bound for the 30th Southeast Asian Games plays Green Archers United the following day.
Three clubs are tagged as favorites to rule the short competition that will give the winner a direct slot to next year’s AFC Cup.
Momentum on the side of Ceres after completing its third straight PFL crown by going unbeaten in 24 league matches.
Kaya, which settled for runner-up honors in the league, hopes to rediscover the resolve that enabled them to capture the inaugural staging of the Copa last year when it beat the Davao Aguilas in a thrilling Final.
The U-22s, on the other hand, are using the Copa to hone their skills before men’s football competitions in the SEA Games start on Nov. 25 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The top two teams in each group advance to the semifinals set Nov. 10. The Final is slated Nov. 16.
Ceres, the national team, Green Archers and Mendiola are in Group A while Kaya is joined by Air Force and Stallion-Laguna in Group B.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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