United City FC capped off its return to the domestic scene with a piece of silverware after ending the reign of Kaya-Iloilo, 3-2, on Sunday, May 22 to win the 2022 Copa Paulino Alcantara at the PFF National Training Centre in Carmona, Cavite.
Two goals from Pika Minegishi and team captain Mike Ott in the second half enabled United City to rule the cup competition despite some struggles late in the elimination round.
Minegishi’s equalizer and Ott’s winner which came in the 68th minute came after Kaya took a 2-1 halftime lead highlighted by a thunderous strike by Jhan Jhan Melliza.
But Kaya ended up taking home the runner-up medal, falling short of capturing the Copa for the second straight time and three in four editions.
UCFC added the Copa to its trophy cabinet after a triumphant return to the local scene.
The winners of the 2020 Philippines Football League opted to skip the previous Copa edition, which was the lone tournament held during last year’s domestic season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
United City also came in with a brand new roster following the departures of key figures like Stephan Schrock and Bienvenido Maranon.
But United City started out strong by winning two matches against Maharlika-Manila and Azkals Development Team and drawing once opposite Kaya to hold the top of the table at one point.
A stunning draw against tail-ender Mendiola FC 1991 followed by a winless stint in the AFC Champions League in Thailand led to a late swoon for UCFC.
United City came back from the ACL stint by settling for two more draws with Dynamic Herb Cebu and Stallion-Laguna to place third going into the knockout stage.
That didn’t deter United City from making a run at the cup, defeating second-ranked Cebu, 1-0, in the semis on Simen Lyngbo’s second half header.
The Final saw UCFC take the early lead 11 minutes in when former Kaya mainstay Kenshiro Daniels beat Carlyle Mitchell and goalkeeper Zach Banzon, who moved out of the box, with ane-touch attempt that bounced into an empty net.
Kaya, however, drew level almost three minutes later when Melliza made a pass for Robert Lopez Mendy, whose first attempt was blocked by goalkeeper Anthony Pinthus before firing the rebound.
The 31st saw Melliza deliver one of the best goals of the competition, firing a shot from 20 yards out which a diving Pinthus couldn’t prevent. The goal was Melliza’s third, epitomizing his stellar Copa stint.
Melliza’s goal could have been the goal Kaya needed to stay champions, but United City had other ideas in the final 45 minutes.
Banzon had control of what appeared to be a harmless free kick, but couldn’t secure the ball which resulted in a scramble inside the box. That eventually led to Minegishi to loft a shot that almost hit the roof of the net as UCFC tied things up in the 51st.
Ott, who later received the Golden Ball award as the best player of the Copa, then took advantage of Kaya’s defensive lapse as he was left unmarked and fired a right-footed attempt off Mark Hartmann’s corner kick which gave United City the lead.
Kaya tried to equalize anew but chances went begging until the end, and UCFC was able to wrest a domestic trophy for the second time.