UAAP champ FEU, Air Force test mettle vs Kaya-Iloilo in Copa Alcantara

June 19, 2023 Times Europe

Philippines Football League champion Kaya-Iloilo FC. Photo from Kaya-Iloilo

MANILA, Philippines-UAAP champion Far Eastern University and Philippine Air Force were drawn with Philippines Football League winner Kaya-Iloilo to lead a group of amateur clubs that will take part in next month’s Copa Paulino Alcantara.

FEU and Air Force are also joined by Inter Manila, Loyola and Don Bosco Garelli which will all get a chance to test themselves against Kaya in Group A of the annual cup competition that was expanded this year to allow clubs outside of the PFL competition.

Pilipinas Dragons, Manila Digger and University of the Philippines join PFL runner-up Dynamic Herb Cebu and Maharlika-Manila in Group B while Philippine Army, Davao Aguilas-University of Makati, Tuloy FC and Adamson will face Stallion-Laguna and Mendiola FC 1991 in Group C.

The draw was held Saturday at the office of the Philippine Football Federation where the inclusion of school teams and amateur clubs were formally announced.

Three UAAP squads will compete in the Copa led by FEU, which last month won Season 85 after beating Ateneo in the final. UP made the Final Four while Adamson is joining despite finishing dead last in the eight-team field.

Other clubs have a history of facing top-flight competition like Air Force, which last played in the PFL in 2019, Army, Davao Aguilas and Loyola.

The top two teams in each group plus the two best third placers will qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament named in honor of the great FC Barcelona striker who was born in Iloilo.