By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Kaya FC-Iloilo is back in the grand finals of the Copa Paulino Alcantara Cup after edging the Dynamic Herb Cebu, 1-0, in one of the most classic semifinal matchups of the league.
Both teams battled for two grueling halves of football but with just four minutes left in the match, a costly handball error from Cebu’s Baris Tasci awarded Iloilo with a freebie penalty kick that gave them the win and the finals ticket.
Ilonggo mainstay and team captain Jovin Bedic saved the day for Kaya FC after swishing in his penalty attempt and also the lone goal of the tightly-contested semifinals duel.
It was a back-and-forth affair from the get-go as the tagged “Battle of Visayas” traded offensive sets but both teams weren’t able to find the back of the net.
As the match progressed, the defensive intensity also ramped up as both backlines started to get physical when the other team would accelerate to generate some offense.
Cebu had the chance to draw first blood in the opening minutes of the second half but Ricardo Sendra’s header was saved by Kaya FC’s Louie Casas.
Meanwhile, the young and star-studded Azkals Development Team (ADT) will be squaring off against Iloilo in the finals after outlasting the veteran squad Stallion Laguna FC, 2-1.
