Hometown hero Jovin Bedic scored a dramatic winner in extra time as Kaya-Iloilo defeated Davao Aguilas, 1-0, Saturday night to capture the inaugural Copa Paulino Alcantara at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Bedic, a native of football hotbed Barotac Nuevo, came through by scoring off a pass by Robert Lopez Mendy in the 118th minute that gave the Iloilo side that distinction as the first champion of the cup-style tournament named in honor of the late Filipino great who played for FC Barcelona.
The victory also earned Kaya a trip to the AFC Cup for the second time in club history, having made the knockout stage during its maiden appearance in 2016.
Ceres-Negros was the first club to secure qualification to the continental tournament after winning the Philippines Football League crown, but may advance to the more-prestigious AFC Champions League if it wins a three-stage qualifier in January.
Kaya’s triumph denied Davao its first title since the club was founded before the PFL’s launch last year.
It also foiled the bid of brothers Phil and James Younghusband to play in the AFC Cup for the first time in their decorated careers.
The newly-crowned Copa winners topped Group B with 10 points before edging Stallion-Laguna, 3-2, in the semis held in Iloilo City. (Jonas Terrado)
