Kaya-Iloilo and the Azkals Development Team could be in for another competitive battle Friday night when they dispute the Copa Paulino Alcantara crown Friday, Nov. 19 at the PFF National Training Centre in Carmona, Cavite.
The final kicks off at 7:45 p.m. with Kaya seeking its first trophy since 2018 and the developmental squad looking to take home a piece of silverware.
Among the big storylines heading into the contest is the absence of ADT striker Jarvey Gayoso, who pulled his hamstring during the semifinal win over Stallion-Laguna.
It will be a rematch of the opening match of the domestic cup competition last Nov. 7, with Kaya prevailing 2-0 on goals from Japanese winger Daizo Horikoshi and defender Simone Rota.
But the two goals came during the second half as Kaya had to deal with a steady resolve by ADT in the first half.
“It will be a really, really difficult game against ADT, but of course we want to win,” said Kaya’s Japanese coach Yu Hoshide, whose club is unbeaten in the last nine domestic matches, including the semifinal triumph over Dynamic Herb Cebu.
Kaya last won a title in the first Copa back in 2018, when Jovin Bedic’s goal late in extra time defeated the Davao Aguilas.
Bedic, who leads the club with three goals in the competition, Horikoshi and defender Carlyle Mitchell will lead Kaya’s bid to make its return to the winner’s podium.
ADT is bracing itself for Gayoso’s potential absence, with semifinal heroes Yrick Gallantes and goalkeeper Quincy Kameraad and midfielders Sandro Reyes, Dennis Chung and Oliver Bias expected to step up big.
“We have to prepare dahil wala yung key player namin,” said ADT coach Jovanie Villagracia. “Pero nakita naman namin na kaya magstep-up yung mga pumasok na players nung semifinals.”
Gayoso is the tournament’s top goalscorer with six, and ADT will be left to make up for his absence.
Stallion and Cebu begin the final matchday of the Copa at 4 p.m. with a consolation match for third.