Marcaida and Tanton Anticipate Thrilling Copa Final With both teams in form and motivation at an all-time high, both Noel Marcaida and Miguel Tanton are expecting an exciting Cup Final
After 30 matches played in 2018, only one more remains — the Copa Paulino Alcantara final. With both Kaya FC–Iloilo and Davao Aguilas entering the contest unbeaten in their last 11 matches, Saturday’s encounter at the Rizal Memorial Stadium (5pm kickoff) is showdown of the two most in form teams in the country. With qualification to next year’s AFC Cup on the line, the final has all the makings of a Cup Final to remember.
“Aside from it being the first ever Copa Paulino Alcantara final, it’s the biggest and most important game for both clubs. We’re playing for an AFC Cup slot,” said Iloilo head coach Noel Marcaida. “It’s going to be an exciting game tomorrow. But for us, it’s not just about AFC. As representatives of Iloilo, we also want to give honor to the legendary Paulino Alcantara.”
“When the cup started, like Davao, it was our intention to be in the final. Aside from being excited to be in the first [Copa Paulino Alcantara] final, this game is going to be exciting. They’re in good form, we’re in good form, so it’s exciting to be a part of the final,” added Kaya’s Miguel Tanton.
The midfielder was part of Kaya’s squad that won the UFL Cup in 2015, a victory that paved the way for the club’s first run in the prestigious AFC Cup in the following year.
“I wasn’t with Kaya yet at the time, but I can see that my players want to play in the AFC Cup again,” said Marcaida. “That motivation will be seen in tomorrow’s final.”
Although the Davao Aguilas are only in their second year of operation, the club has grown quickly, signing some of the country’s biggest names in football. And with champion coach Leigh Manson at the helm, the team is looking to acquire their first piece of silverware. Given the level of the talent on hand in tomorrow’s final, the Scottish tactician is expecting a thrilling game of football.
“When you look at the players that will be on show from Kaya—[Robert Lopez] Mendy has been having a fantastic season scoring-wise; we know about Tanton’s strengths as well. For ourselves, you have some of the best players in the country and they’ll be all on show. Mendy scored three last weekend, Kim [Sung Min] scored four. So you’ve got great goal scorers in form, and I think any game where Phil [Younghusband] is involved, there’s a potential to see some football magic. If you’re a fan of football, you’re going to see an attractive attacking game tomorrow. Both teams attempting to show they deserve to represent the Philippines in the AFC Cup and to be the champions of the cup. I’m very excited.”
