The Ilonggos, once again, proved to be one of the hotbeds of football players in the country.
This, after Kaya Futbol Club-Iloilo retained the Copa Paulino Alcantara championship at the expense of Davao Aguilas-UMAK FC via penalties, 4-3 at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
Stepping up his game, Mikel Justin Baas delivered the championship-clinching penalty kick for the Iloilo City-based booters as he slotted the ball past the defense of Davao Aguilas-UMAK goal keeper Dini Ouattara.
Both teams played superb in the regular period, capitalizing on their veterans. In the penalty, the connection by Baas was a controversial one as his initial penalty attempt was foiled by Ouattara, but the referees ordered a retake as the Davao Aguilas-UMAK keeper’s foot was outside the box when he saved the kick of Baas.
The blowout victory was Kaya-Iloilo’s second championship this year after dominating the 2022-2023 Philippines Football League. It was also the football club’s second consecutive Copa crown.
Kaya-Iloilo had a sluggish opening after surrendering a 1-0 lead to Davao Aguilas-UMAK at the half courtesy of a 45th minute header from Yannick Tuazon. Answering the consistent run of their opponents, Kaya managed to level the score in the second half as Nano Amita managed to catch Ouattara’s defense napping for a close range connection.
Kaya-Iloilo had multiple opportunities to break the tie during the remainder of the regulation and until in the two-halves extra time, but Ouattara managed to block away all their attempts.
In the penalties, Davao Aguilas-UMAK managed to take the early lead via a Paolo Bugas hit on the defense of Quincy Kammeraad coupled by a missed attempt from Kaya-Iloilo veteran Robert Lopez Mendy.
Kaya-Iloilo went on to take a 3-1 lead with conversions from Ilonggo captain Jovin Bedic, Daizo Horikoshi and Audie Menzi, and misses from Davao Aguilas-UMAK’s Tuazon and Serge Kaole.
Kart Talaroc and Troy Limbo gave Davao Aguilas-UMAK a lifeline with their back-to-back goal conversions, but the connection from Baas secured the championship for Kaya-Iloilo.IMT Sports
