Kaya holds off Mendiola to setup finals clash with Ceres

By: Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Kaya FC-Iloilo gave Mendiola FC 1991 a beating, 3-0, during their semifinal clash in the 2019 Copa Paulino Alcantara Cup setting up a rivalry finals match against Ceres-Negros FC.

Overcoming a tight and suffocating Mendiola defense, the Iloilo squad took more than a half to break through the mighty backline of Mendiola.

Opportunities came few and far between for Kaya as the patient and well-organized defense of Mendiola were suffocating on the pitch. Things would change though in the second half.

After the break, Jordan Mintah crossed a long ball to Jason Panhay who then delivered it shortly to a surging Kenshiro Daniels for the game opener.

After the first blood, Kaya began to build momentum and showed their high-octane level of play.

During the 64^th minute, Shirmar Felongco sprinted on the right flank to deliver a sweet pass to Daniels but the shot was wide.

Masanari Omura then setup an attack in the corner, surprised most of the players by firing a very long one that hit the post but Omura was quick to recover the ball and score another goal for Kaya.

Mintah had a couple attempts to add to the conversion tally but was saved twice by the keeper.

Darryl Roberts then iced the game with a shot from outside the box, ending their semifinal clash with a 3-0 lead.