The final of the third season of the Copa Paulino Alcantara was contested by the Azkals Development Team and Kaya F.C.–Iloilo on 19 November 2021 on neutral ground at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.
Background Both ADT and Kaya–Iloilo were drawn to Group B along with Mendiola for the 2021 Copa Paulino Alcantara. Both teams faced against each other in their first match of the tournament. Kaya–Iloilo prevailed 2–0 over ADT. Kaya–Iloilo finished on the top of the group after winning 6–0 over Mendiola qualifying for the semifinals. ADT also qualified after routing Mendiola 9–0.
ADT and Kaya–Iloilo figured against the only two teams of Group A; Cebu and Stallion Laguna. The third team of that group, United City, withdrew assuring the remaining teams a place in the semifinals.
In the semifinals, ADT won 2–1 in extra time against Stallion Laguna after initially trailing by a goal, while Kaya–Iloilo scored the solitary goal in the late minutes of their semifinal match against Cebu through a penalty kick.
Route to the final
Azkals Development TeamRoundKaya–IloiloOpponentResultGroup stageOpponentResultKaya–Iloilo0–2Matchday 1Azkals Development Team2–0Mendiola9–0Matchday 2Mendiola6–0Group B runner-upsFinal standingsGroup B winnersOpponentResultKnockout phaseOpponentResultStallion Laguna2–1Semi-finalsDynamic Herb Cebu1–0
Match summary
The 2021 Copa Paulino Alcantara final was held on November 19, 2021 in the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite. No spectators were allowed due to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. ADT were without the service of their captain Jarvey Gayoso, who scored six goals in the tournament after he suffered from a hamstring injury during the second half of ADT's semifinal match against Stallion Laguna. Kaya–Iloilo last clinched the Copa Paulino Alcantara title in 2018, when it won against Davao Aguilas in extra time in that tournament's final.
The match was disrupted by a power interruption but the match resumed after the issue was resolved. Both Kaya–Iloilo and the ADT were evenly matched in the first half, with Mar Diano clearing a shot from Jovin Bedic off the line. In the 47th minute a lofted cross from Simone Rota fell to Kenshiro Daniels, who poked it in the net to make it 1–0 in favor of Kaya–Iloilo. The ADT pushed for an equalizer and nearly got it when Mar Diano's header narrowly went over the crossbar. Despite more chances for the ADT, Kaya managed to hold on and eventually secured their 2nd ever Copa title.
The match ended in favor of Kaya–Iloilo, with a 1–0 scoreline. In doing so, Kaya became the first ever team to win the Copa Paulino Alcantara without conceding a single goal, scoring 10 goals in the process. Kaya also qualified as the country's representative in the 2022 AFC Champions League qualifying round, as well as earning a direct ticket to the 2022 AFC Cup.
GK 1 Quincy Kammeraad 4 Mathew Custodio 12 Mar Diano (c) 18 Christian Rontini 11 Yrick Gallantes 22 Oskari Kekkonen 9 Troy Limbo 10 Oliver Bias 21 Sandro Reyes 7 Dennis Chung 17 Ivan Ouano Substitutes:GK15 Anton Yared 3 Frederico Alegre 5 Pete Forrosuelo 8 Kainoa Bailey 13 Andres Aldeguer 23 Jethro Borlongan 24 Vincent ParpanHead Coach: Giovanni VillagraciaStarting XI GK 25 Louie Casas 23 Simone Rota 19 Carlyle Mitchell 44 Audie Menzi 21 Dylan De Bruycker 8 Marwin Angeles 4 Masanari Omura 14 Ryo Fujii 10 Kenshiro Daniels 20 Daizo Horikoshi 7 Jovin Bedic (c)Substitutes:GK1 Zach Banzon 5 Camelo Tacusalme 27 Shirmar Felongco 13 Jesus Melliza 17 Arnel Amita 9 Eric Giganto 22 Fitch ArboledaHead Coach: Yu Hoshide
References