MANILA -- JPV Marikina completed the semifinal cast of the inaugural Copa Paulino Alcantara Wednesday evening after eliminating ten-man Global Cebu in a pulsating 2-1 win at the Rizal Memorial.
Keigo Moriyasu put up a man-of-the-match performance as the son of the Japan gaffer set up the first goal, then scored one himself to help Frank Muescan's cause to join Kaya Iloilo as the top two sides in Group B with one match to spare.
His backheel pass to Takumi Uesato kickstarted a JPV counter in the 39th minute, in which the prodigal son picked out Kennedy Uzoka who made no mistake with his right boot to score against his former side.
In the second half, Uesato turned provider once again in the 63rd minute, with Moriyasu duly doubled their lead with his right-footed effort.
Staring at a huge deficit, Cebu made its day from bad to worse in the 74th minute, with left-back Paolo Pavone was sent off by referee Mick John Pineda after his indecent attitude, shoving his middle finger in front of him after much conversation with the fourth official.
However, Jordan Jarvis pulled one back three minutes later when he tapped in the Charlie Beaton ball from inside the six yard box.
But that was just a late consolation for the league's wooden spoon as their season comes to an agonizing end in the cold Manila night.
Global Cebu: Casas (GK), Pavone, Lee, Sarmiento, Angeles (Marasigan 76'), Beaton, Beloya (Bricenio 57'), Jarvis, Roberts, Talaroc (Gilmar 83'), Nikolic (C)
unused: Badelic (GK), Cruz, Villegas
JPV Marikina: Gasic (GK), Tsubasa, Shimono (C), Moriyasu, Uesato, Uzoka (Dela Torre 76'), Angeles, Elnar (Ybanez 81'), Basa (Altiche 86'), Unabia, Marcojos
unused: Canedo, Celiz, Franksson, Miranda
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