Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 14) – Filipino football fans are in for a treat this weekend with the return of the Copa Paulino Alcantara.
The league is set to come back bigger than ever for its fifth edition featuring seventeen teams— the most in competition history.
Teams from the Philippines Football League (PFL), the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), and the amateur ranks will see action in the expanded edition of the tournament.
“Since we won the UAAP, our approach to this league is going to be pretty much the same as the UAAP, we’re not changing anything tactically because it worked for us,” said FEU men’s football team assistant coach Albert Besa.
“I think this tournament will be shaping us to be a more well-rounded team. Playing in the UAAP with the level that we have there, it’s more or less a consistent level,” he added.
Don Bosco Garelli United and the Philippine Air Force will kick off the opening festivities on July 15 (Saturday) at 4 p.m. at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Teams are divided into three groups and will be competing in a single round robin format.
The top two teams from each group and the two best third-placed teams will advance to the knockout stages.
Two-time tournament champions Kaya FC-Iloilo said they are looking forward to the new challenges ahead while other teams are bracing themselves for the fierce competition.
“It’s the first time in a long time that we’re going to be taking on teams such as Loyola, first time that we’re going to be taking on Don Bosco Garelli, first time for us to compete alongside Far Eastern University and a chance for us to take on a new club that’s headed by Stephan Schrock so we’re very excited,” Kaya FC-Iloilo team manager Jing Jamlang said.
