Kaya FC–Iloilo Aiming to Bring Copa Paulino Alcantara to Iloilo The chance to play a Copa Paulino Alcantara semifinal in Iloilo is the team's "primary objective."
Kaya FC–Iloilo vs Global Cebu
4pm | Saturday | September 1, 2018
Rizal Memorial Stadium
August 30, 2018; Manila — With only two days to go before the start of the Copa Paulino Alcantara, Kaya FC–Iloilo are ramping up preparations ahead of their September 1 clash against Global Cebu. The 4pm match at the Rizal Memorial Stadium serves us the opener for the cup competition, whose winner claims the highly coveted opportunity to play in the AFC Cup next season.
Having finished runners-up in the recent Philippines Football League, Kaya is eager to make the most of a chance at redemption in the Copa Paulino Alcantara. In order to triumph in the cup, Iloilo has to progress from a three-team group with Global Cebu and JPV Marikina, overcome either Ceres Negros, Davao Aguilas, or Stallion Laguna in the semi-final, then win in the October 27 final at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. It’s quite a road ahead — one that Kaya hopes will take an important stop in Iloilo.
“We’ll take it one game at a time. Our primary objective is to top the group. That will give us an opportunity to bring the semi-finals in front of all the Ilonggo fans, and we love to play in front of our Ilonggo fans,” said Kaya FC–Iloilo head coach Noel Marcaida.
To have a crucial match in the inaugural Copa Paulino Alcantara played in the birthplace of the football legend the tournament is named after, would be an occasion on its own. For Kaya FC–Iloilo, there’s also the benefit of the comfort of home.
Buoyed by the atmosphere created by the passionate home support, Kaya has enjoyed a solid record at the Iloilo Sports Complex, racking up 5 wins, 2 draws, and only 1 loss. With the ability to dictate the venue of the semifinal up for grabs, Iloilo has no room for complacency when the group stages kickoff on Saturday.
Heading into the new tournament, Kaya is unbeaten in six matches, with a squad that hasn’t missed a beat despite wholesale squad changes in the last three matches.
“It gives us a headache. It really gives a headache for a coach when all your players are really performing well,” said Marcaida. “I think we’re successful in giving exposure to all of them. 99% of my players were able to play 90 minutes in the league. We have a bright future in Kaya FC. The spirit is really high heading into the cup.”
Tickets to Saturday’s match are priced at P100, which also includes access to the 7pm match between Ceres Negros and Davao Aguilas. Tickets are available now through any SM Tickets outlets and via SMtickets.com (https://www.smtickets.com/events/view/7082). All Copa Paulino Alcantara matches will be streamed live over PFLTV.ph.
Kaya FC–Iloilo Copa Paulino Alcantara Schedule:
Group B Matches:
September 1 / Saturday / 4pm / Rizal Memorial Stadium / vs Global Cebu
September 19 / Wednesday / 4pm / Rizal Memorial Stadium / vs JPV Marikina
September 23 / Sunday / 7pm / Rizal Memorial Stadium / vs Global Cebu
October 17 / Wednesday / 3pm/ Carmona Football Field / vs JPV Marikina
Semi Final:
October 21 / Sunday / TBA / TBA / TBA
Final:
October 27 / Saturday / 7pm / Rizal Memorial Stadium / TBA
