Copaulino groups set as league goes into final stretch as dress rehearsal

Patrick Deyto hopes that there will be no repeat of a Davao Aguilas meltdown when they battle Stallion Laguna for the final time. Art Enriquez/Stallion Laguna

By Kevin Estrada

MANILA--The Copa Paulino Alcantara will kick off in September but the groupings are already set in stone for its first staging.

The draw was held on Tuesday way ahead of schedule, but as a matter of fact, the final four league matches will be a glimpse of the groups of the six PFL clubs to compete for another silverware, as well as a trip to AFC football for next season.

Here is the result of the Copa Paulino Alcantara draw held earlier today!

Group A: @CeresNegrosFC, @StallionFCPhil, @davaoaguilasfc

Group B: @KayaFC, @jpv_fc, @GlobalCebuFC pic.twitter.com/XxzdeqTpGV

— #PFL2018 (@WeArePFL) August 20, 2018

Group A is a sure "Group of Death", with back-to-back league champions Ceres Negros leading the trio which also composed of big-spending Davao Aguilas and dark horse Stallion Laguna, with the latter pair tangling in Rizal Memorial Wednesday afternoon.

Kicking off simultaneously in Carmona, JPV Marikina hopes to end the league campaign on a high note when they lock horns with league runner-up Kaya Iloilo in a preview of Group B, with bottom side Global Cebu completing the triad.

Follow him on Twitter: @KevinLEstrada