MANILA – Kaya Futbol Club-Iloilo settled to a 1-1 draw with Stallion-Laguna at the close of the 2019 Philippines Football League – Copa Paulino Alcantara group stage matches last night at the Biñan Football Stadium in Laguna.
Both Kaya-Iloilo and Stallion-Laguna finished the Group B matches with four points on one victory and a draw each but it was the former who emerged as the top seed due to higher goal difference.
Both teams struggled with their shots at the start the match but Kaya-Iloilo broke the ice at the onset of the second half courtesy of a 59th minute hit by Negrense Jayson Panhay.
Stallion-Laguna turned aggressive on offense. It targeted an equalizer and indeed gained one on a penalty kick by Kou Ichi Belgira after being fouled by a Kaya-Iloilo player.
The defending champion Kaya-Iloilo will face the No. 2 seed in Group A in the semifinals on Sunday, while Stallion-Laguna will tangle with the top seed from the said group.
League champions Ceres-Negros FC, Philippines U-22 team and Mendiola FC were still fighting as of press time for positioning as the two teams that will qualify from Group A in the semifinals./PN
