Kaya drawn with Stallion, Laos in Group A

Reigning UFL Cup champion Kaya begins its title defense on Feb. 7 against powerhouse Stallion after the draw last Wednesday put the two top-flight sides together along with four former second division sides in Group A.

Second division champion Laos also landed in the group, along with Forza, Agila and JP Voltes which reached the quarterfinals of the competition last season.

Kaya manager Paul Tolentino said repeating as champions will be tougher this time.

“We’re a bit annoyed that we have a short time to celebrate our championship, but that’s the motivation,” said Kaya manager Paul Tolentino.

“At the end of the tournament there’s an AFC Cup at stake. It will be harder this time because its the first tournament of the season and everyone wants to win it.”

League titlist Ceres-La Salle which lost to Kaya in the finals of the Cup headlines Group B that also includes last year’s semifinalist Loyola Meralco Sparks.

With former Cup and league champion Global and another second division side Green Archers United also in the field, Ceres’ bracket has been considered as the tournament’s “Group of Death”. Nomads and Pasargad complete Group B.

Global fell to Pot 4 in the draw after it was disqualified in the Cup last year.

UFL technical director Ritchie Gannaban said clubs with “perceived bias” to each other like Global and Laos must play in separate groups. So when Laos was drawn to Group A, Global automatically landed in Group B.

The same case happened with Agila and Loyola Meralco as well as Green Archers and Forza.

“Group A looks easier which means our knockout round is going to be harder,” Tolentino said. “We know its going to be dangerous heading into the knockout round.”

This article was originally posted at uflph.com. You may read the full story and other UFL news and features here.