 |
| Photo from Jihan Ivy Caparros |
by Drew Malihan
MANILA - It take Kaya FC-Iloilo penalties to win their third Copa Paulino Alcantara trophy after finishing 1-1 against Davao Aguilas - University of Makati in the finals inside the Rizal Memorial Stadium Saturday.
It was a historic first for the tournament, as all but one Finals match did not see extra time being added, the only one going past the 90 was the first iteration of the Copa where Kaya also won against the Aguilas.
Things did not go well for Kaya early in the game as shots were stopped by Davao's high guard capped by Ivorian keeper Dini Ouattara's guard on the goal.
The woes added up as a Paolo Bugas set piece finds Yannick Tuason who outwitted Audie Menzi and Akito Saito and heads the ball past Quincy Kammeraad to give Davao the lead before halftime, 1-0.
It took the Lions 19 minutes in the second half to score as Arnel Amita capitalized on Ouattara's low guard, dispossessing him the ball before the long kick even started and prompting the Ivorian to defend to no avail.
All was even in regulation and no team scored another goal in extra rime, putting the game to a penalty shootout, with Kammeraad and Ouattara playing heroes for their teams.
However, it was down to Ouattara and national team midfielder Justin Baas in the final kick, where the Ivorian keeper initially saved the take but wasn't counted as the keeper put both of his feet beyond the goal line before the take.
Baas retook the ball and puts past the left side, this time Ouattara missing out the ball.
Kaya players dominated the awards section as Daizo Horikoshi was awarded the Golden Ball while teammate Abou Sy took home the Golden Boot after scoring a tournament-high ten goals.
Kammeraad meanwhile was awarded with the Golden Glove after securing five clean sheets, while Simone Rota was named as the tournament's Best Defender.
Davao did not go home empty handed as Bugas was named the Best Midfielder, while Ouattara was named the Finals' Man of the Match.
Follow him on X: @drew_corner
.jpg)
