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The 2021 Copa Paulino Alcantara was the third edition of the Copa Paulino Alcantara, the domestic football cup competition of the Philippines. United City (then called Ceres–Negros) won the previous edition in 2019, but withdrew from the 2021 edition. Kaya–Iloilo won their second title by defeating the Azkals Development Team 1–0 in the final. All matches were played at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.

Scheduling

The Copa Paulino Alcantara was not held in the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the league tournament held under a bubble format.

There were initially plans to hold the cup tournament earlier in the year, but it was cancelled in March 2021 (along with several postponements to the 2021 Philippines Football League). The tournament was revived once again in October 2021, after the league season was cancelled, and now scheduled to take place during November 7–19.

Participating clubs

All six clubs in the 2020 Philippines Football League were eligible to participate in the tournament. Cebu which was given a provisional license and also eligible to join. However the PFF added that only clubs willing to spend for their participation would take part in the tournament. Maharlika Manila decided not to enter. United City withdrew after the draw due to an undisclosed legal dispute filed against the club when it was still Ceres–Negros and under a different management. The club withdrew since it believe it could affect the nominations of the other clubs to the 2022 AFC Cup had they entered.

Format

Competition

The Copa Paulino Alcantara will consist of two rounds; the group stage and the knock-out stage. For the group stage, the six participating clubs were divided into two groups of three. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals. There will also be a third place play-off for the losing semifinalists. The third placed teams in the group stage were supposed to play-off in the Plate final, but this was cancelled due to an absence of a third team in Group A after United City's withdrawal.

The winners will qualify for the 2022 AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs. Kaya–Iloilo, Mendiola and Stallion Laguna are eligible to qualify as holders of an AFC club license.

The tiebreaker used for the tournament is as follows: lowest number of red cards accumulated, lowest number of yellow cards or through a coin toss.

Draw

The draw was held on October 27, 2021.

Group stage

Group A

November 10, 2021 (2021-11-10) 1	Stallion Laguna	1–0	Dynamic Herb Cebu	Carmona
19:30 UTC+8	Sy 19'	Report		Stadium: PFF National Training Center Referee: Steve Suprecencia

Group B

November 7, 2021 (2021-11-07) 1	Kaya–Iloilo	2–0	Azkals Development Team	Carmona
19:30 UTC+8	Horikoshi 54' Rota 70'	Report		Stadium: PFF National Training Center Referee: Clifford Daypuyat

November 10, 2021 (2021-11-10) 2	Mendiola 1991	0–6	Kaya–Iloilo	Carmona
16:00 UTC+8		Report	Bedic 11', 35' Fujii 40' Daniels 63' Horikoshi 83' Mitchell 90+2'	Stadium: PFF National Training Center Referee: Mick Jon Pineda

November 13, 2021 (2021-11-13) 3	Azkals Development Team	9–0	Mendiola 1991	Carmona
19:30 UTC+8	Gayoso 16' (pen.), 38', 52', 72' (pen.), 73' Chung 29' Rontini 34' Diano 36' Reyes 76'	Report		Stadium: PFF National Training Center Referee: Mick Jon Pineda

Knock-out stage

Semi-finals

November 16, 2021 (2021-11-16) Semi-final	Stallion Laguna	1–2 (a.e.t.)	Azkals Development Team	Carmona
16:00 UTC+8	Placito 53'	Report	Gayoso 66' Gallantes 116'	Stadium: PFF National Training Center Referee: Steve Suprecencia

November 16, 2021 (2021-11-16) Semi-final	Kaya–Iloilo	1–0	Dynamic Herb Cebu	Carmona
20:15 UTC+8	Bedic 86' (pen.)	Report		Stadium: PFF National Training Center Referee: Mick Jon Pineda

Third place play-off

Final

November 19, 2021 (2021-11-19) Championship	Azkals Development Team	0–1	Kaya–Iloilo	Carmona
19:45 UTC+8			Daniels 47'	Stadium: PFF National Training Center Referee: Clifford Daypuyat

Top scorers

Rank	Player	Team	MD1	MD2	SF	3P	F	Total
1	Jarvey Gayoso	ADT		5	1			6
2	Jovin Bedic	Kaya–Iloilo		2	1			3
3	Kenshiro Daniels	Kaya–Iloilo		1			1	2
	Daizo Horikoshi	Kaya–Iloilo	1	1
5	Dennis Chung	ADT		1				1
	Mar Diano	ADT		1
	Ryo Fujii	Kaya–Iloilo		1
	Yrick Gallantes	ADT			1
	Carlyle Mitchell	Kaya–Iloilo		1
	Abraham Placito	Stallion Laguna			1
	Sandro Reyes	ADT		1
	Simone Rota	Kaya–Iloilo	1
	Christian Rontini	ADT		1
	Abou Sy	Stallion Laguna	1

Awards

Award	Winner	Club
Golden Ball	Jovin Bedic	Kaya–Iloilo
Golden Boot	Jarvey Gayoso	ADT
Golden Glove	Louie Casas	Kaya–Iloilo

Source:

References

1. ^ "PFL eyes 2021 opening in April with Copa Paulino Alcantara". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
2. Terrado, Reuben (March 27, 2021). "Copa Paulino Alcantara canceled as PFL looks to open new season in July". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
3. "Copa Paulino Alcantara to usher in 2022 season". The Philippines Football League. October 27, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
4. ^ Rosal, Glendale (October 22, 2021). "PFL to hold Copa Paulino Alcantara on Nov. 7 in Cavite". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
5. ^ Pedralvez, Manolo (October 24, 2021). "PFL Cup sees 6 teams participating; kickoff on Nov. 7". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
6. Terrado, Reuben (October 31, 2021). "Sudden United City FC pullout leaves Copa with only 5 clubs". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
7. "United City FC explains decision behind Copa Paulino Alcantara pullout". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. November 8, 2021. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
8. Micaller, Bea (October 28, 2021). "PFF to hold Copa Paulino Alcantara in November as PFL cancels 2021 season". GMA News. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
9. "Powerhouse teams United City, Kaya-Iloilo drawn to separate groups in Copa Paulino Alcantara". Manila Bulletin. October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
10. "United City withdraws from Copa Alcantara". Tiebreaker Times. October 31, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
11. Terrado, Jonas (October 31, 2021). "United City to skip Copa Paulino Alcantara". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
12. "PFF grants license to United City, three other clubs". Manila Bulletin. November 13, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
13. Terrado, Jonas (November 10, 2021). "Stallion-Laguna faces newcomer Dynamic Herb Cebu". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
14. Jurado, Theodore (October 28, 2021). "Copa Alcantara kicks off Nov. 7". Journal News. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
15. "Six clubs complete Copa Paulino Alcantara participants". Philippines Football League. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
16. del Carmen, Lorenzo (November 19, 2021). "Bedic hailed with Copa Alcantara's Golden Ball". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved November 20, 2021.

• Copa Paulino Alcantara seasons
• 2021 in Philippine football