MANILA — The Philippines Football League (PFL) Copa Paulino Alcantara semifinal cast was formalized on Wednesday night following the results of the doubleheader at the Rizal Memorial Stadium here.
Stallion Laguna and Davao Aguilas settled for a goal-less draw in the first game, while JPV Marikina repeated over Global Cebu, 2-1, in the nightcap.
In the Group A action, Laguna and Davao battled to the needed stalemate that formalized their entry to the next round.
However, Laguna had to pay some price as vice captain Matthew Nierras hurt his knee following a collision with Matthew Hartmann in the 12th minute of action.
The result formally knocked out Negros from playoff contention, assuring that the reigning PFL champion will not have a domestic double to end its season and that a different club will win it all in the league cup.
On the other hand, Keigo Moriyasu led Marikina’s charge as he assisted on Kennedy Uzoka’s opening goal late in the first half and scored on the club’s dagger goal in the second half before holding off Cebu’s last gasp to eliminate the latter from Final Four contention in the Group B showdown.
Marikina will join Iloilo in the semifinals.
The top seed for each group will be on the line when the Copa plays its last group stage games on Oct. 17.
Laguna will face off again with Davao, while Marikina and Iloilo will slug it out in two games happening on simultaneous 3 p.m. kick-offs.
The long break in action is due to the Azkals’ participation in an international tournament in Bangladesh. ( Ivan Stewart Saldajeno/PNA)
