Rivals Kaya FC-Iloilo and Ceres-Negros FC set up marquee Copa Paulino Alcantara finals

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE top local club football teams battle it out for the finals of the second Copa Paulino Alcantara after defending champion Kaya FC-Iloilo and three-time Philippines Football League champion Ceres-Negros FC dispatched their respective opponents in semifinal action on Sunday.

Kaya was a 3-0 winner over Mendiola FC 1991 at the Abotiz Pitch in Lipa City, Batangas, while Ceres dug deep to edge Stallion Laguna FC, 4-3, at the Biñan Football Stadium.

Kenshiro Daniels, Masanari Omura and Darryl Roberts provided the goals for Kaya in a fiery second half that pushed it to a position to defend its title in the championship match set for Nov. 16.

Daniels connected in the 51^st minute to hand Kaya a 1-0 lead before Japanese Omura doubled up their lead in the 72^nd minute.

Mendiola tried to stop its slide but Kaya would not allow such to happen, even adding another goal in the 81^st minute for good measure care of Mr. Roberts.

The win further solidified for Kaya a spot in the AFC Cup group stage next year.

Ceres, meanwhile, had a tougher time before barging into the finals after being pushed to the ropes early by a highly determined Stallion side.

Stallion went up 2-nil in the first 15 minutes of the contest with goals from Edris Najm and Abou Sy.

But the “Busmen” would not stay down for long with Stephan Schrock and Mike Ott combining for the equalizing points in the next 15 minutes.

The count stood at 2-2 at the halfway point.

With the outcome of the match still open, the two teams jostled to get the go-ahead.

Ceres beat Stallion to the punch with Messrs. Schrock and Ott once against leading the way.

Mr. Schrock gave Ceres the lead, 3-2, with a goal in the 69^th minute, with Mr. Ott making it a two-point cushion, 4-2, eight minutes later.

Stallion attempted to rally back but could only come to within a point after Jhan-Jhan Meliza struck and connected in the 85^th minute.

After that Ceres would hold on and preserve the victory.

The finals of the Copa Paulino Alcantara will be played at the Biñan Football Stadium.