By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Kaya FC-Iloilo once again reigned supreme in the 2021 Copa Paulino Alcantara Cup after nipping the Azkals Development Team (ADT), 1-0, in the grand finals of the prestigious tournament.
The expected fireworks and nip-and-tuck affair came into reality as the young and talented Azkals squad was eager to avenge their only loss of the regular season at the hands of Iloilo.
ADT kicked off the match with high intensity and looked crisp and sharp as they had several opportunities to draw first blood but Kaya FC was able to hold on and deflect the attempts.
To counter ADT’s aggression, Kaya FC flipped the switch and turned on the jets at the 35th -minute mark and had their pair of scoring attempts but went unsuccessful.
During the 40th minute mark of the match, Kaya FC had their cleanest attempt courtesy of Ilonggo team captain Jovin Bedic who was wide open on the left side of the pitch.
Bedic attempted on a high looping floater kick to get past ADT’s goalkeeper above but the heroic bicycle kick save by star Mar Diano denied Iloilo’s first goal of the match.
The back-and-forth affair continued before halftime but two minutes into the second half, Kenshiro Daniels found the back of the net after turning garbage into goal for the first and the only goal of the finals.
Daniels was already in a difficult position, lying down on the pitch after receiving the cross pass from Simone Rota thrown from the right side but was still able to find the angle that put the ball in place.
The goal provided enough spark for Kaya FC on the defensive end and prevented any ADT late goals.
Aside from the championship trophy, Kaya FC also hauled in the individual awards as captain Bedic received the Golden Ball award while goalkeeper Louie Casas won the Golden Glove award.
