Stallion-Laguna and newcomer Dynamic Herb Cebu face off to determine the semifinal seedings in Group A in the Copa Paulino Alcantara on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at the PFF National Training Centre in Carmona, Cavite.
The 7:30 p.m. caps off the only doubleheader of the group stage, with the two clubs carrying different motivations to kick off their campaign in the domestic cup competition on a bright note.
Kaya-Iloilo, coming off a 2-0 victory over the Azkals Development Team, seeks to secure a semis berth in Group B against Mendiola FC 1991 to start off the Copa’s second match day at 4 p.m.
Stallion is out to bounce back from finishing at the bottom of last year’s Philippines Football League season by making changes to its roster.
Coach Ernie Nierras’ side retained 11 players but lost key players Ruben “Balot” Doctora and Kaya signees Fitch Arboleda and Jhan-Jhan Melliza.
Sixteen players were added to the squad, including veteran Yannick Tuazon and former ADT striker Chima Uzoka.
“Our first game is against a new club and this is gonna be a great opportunity on how we progressed as a team so we’ll see,” said Nierras.
Cebu is out to make a splash in its first experience of playing top flight football led by some familiar names.
Coach Bing-Bing Colina will have Spanish veteran Joaco Canas, Daniel Gadia, Kintaro Miyagi and Ace Villanueva in Cebu’s quest to end its maiden campaign with a trophy.
“We will play and have fun, but we will keep fighting every match,” said Colina. “Nobody has an edge right now and any team is beatable. But I believe the most prepared team will win the competition.”
Kaya leaned on second half goals from Japanese winger Daizo Horikoshi and veteran defender Simone Rota to beat ADT in the tournament opener.
But Kaya is also anticipating a tough stand from Mendiola, which is seeking to achieve big things especially with the club celebrating its 30th anniversary.
Ashley Flores and co-captain Hamed Hajimahdi will lead coach Dan Padernal’s squad reinforced by 15 players from San Beda University who were able to secure special permits from the NCAA.
“We are in a very tough bracket and the only way to survive is to execute a good game plan,” Padernal said.