The Azkals Developmental Team secured the last semifinal seat in the Copa Paulino Alcantara with an emphatic 9-0 win over Mendiola FC 1991 in the final group stage match held Saturday, November 13, 2021 at the PFF National Training Centre in Carmona, Cavite.
Jarvey Gayoso produced five goals, exceeding his total output from last year’s Philippines Football League season to highlight a dominant performance that gave the developmental side second spot in Group B.
Other goals courtesy of Dennis Chung, Christian Rontini, Mar Diano, and Sandro Reyes helped ADT produce the most lopsided result in the short history of the cup competition.
ADT also bounced back from opening the campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Kaya-Iloilo six days ago when it conceded twice in the second half.
“We addressed the mistakes during our last game, and the players were able to put up an impressive performance with their hardwork and hunger to win,” said ADT coach Jovanie Villagracia.
ADT set up a semifinal date with Group A winner Stallion-Laguna on November 16 while Mendiola ended its Copa campaign having lost all two matches.
Mendiola came into the contest needing a win to reach the knockout stage, but ADT, which could also advance with a draw, played as if it was the one which was desperate to stay alive.
The opening goal came after Chung was fouled inside the penalty area by Eric Manlapas, allowing Gayoso to score from the spot in the 16th minute.
Chung doubled the lead in the 29th off a through ball by Reyes to cap a counterattack and Rontini’s header from a corner kick in the 34th made it 3-0 ADT.
The scoreline didn’t last long as Diano converted a header into the far post in the 36th before Gayoso claimed his second goal and fifth for the match with a clinical finish two minutes later.
Gayoso completed a hat trick in the 52nd but added two more courtesy of a penalty in the 72nd and a tidy strike off another fine ball from Reyes shortly after for an 8-0 advantage.
Reyes, who honed his skills in Spain in the last few years, wrapped up the ADT assault by putting himself on the scoresheet in the 76th minute.