MANILA – Kaya Futbol Club-Iloilo goes for the 2021 Copa Paulino Alcantara crown as it faces Azkals Development Team in a one-game finals tonight at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.
According to Kaya-Iloilo team captain Jovin Bedic, the squad is hungry to go all-out after settling for runner up finishes to Ceres-Negros FC / United City Football Club the past three years.
“The team is super excited kasi 2018 pa ‘yung last trophy ng Kaya-Iloilo. Copa Paulino Alcantara din ‘yun,” Bedic said in an interview with CNN Philippines’ Sports Desk.
“If makuha namin this season, magiging maganda for the club since we are hungry to win another championship,” added the Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo native.
Bedic, the difference maker in Kaya-Iloilo’s 1-0 win over Dynamic Herb Cebu in the semifinals on Tuesday, said Azkals remains dangerous despite the possible absence of injured Jarvey Gayoso.
“We beat them (Azkals Development Team) in the elimination, pero different story na sa finals. Whether Jarvey is there or not, the team will still be ready,” Bedic said.
Azkals Development Team’s Yrick Gallantes, for his part, said the squad will work on their mistakes during their elimination round encounter in hopes of pulling off an upset.
“We’re young, hungry. We really want to get in the (Copa Paulino Alcantara) Finals,” said Gallantes, who scored the game-winner in their 2-1 semis win over Stallion-Laguna FC.
He added: “With teams like Kaya, they’ll do what they can to finish the game. We need to be more organized and make sure we have possession to take things away from Kaya.”
Prior to the Kaya-Iloilo-Azkals Development Team finale, Dynamic Herb Cebu and Stallion Laguna FC will contest the third place trophy in a match slated at 4 p.m./PN
