Mindanaotoday.com | Thrilling opener for Copa P. Alcantara
Cagayan de Oro City — It was thrilling Copa Paulino Alcaltara opening at the Rizal Memorial stadium as four teams debuted in this annual football extravaganza organized by the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) over the weekend.
Two brand new teams, Don Bosco Garelli and Tuloy FC debuted against military teams Philippine Air Force and Philippine Army respectively in thrilling double header worth every penny Saturday.
Unfortunately, despite of free entrance at the Rizal Memorial, the stands were empty and very few turned up to watch on the grand stand. Thanks to the PFF, the matches were live-streamed on FB and Youtube.
But for those who missed the matches, I bet they would regret it. But they could still watch them at YouTube and Facebook minus the thrill after knowing already the results.
On the positive side, the online streaming has vastly improved. The camera angles are much better and there are now zoomed angles which allowed the action on the pitches and the faces of the players to be very clear on TV.
Even the commentators have greatly improved. They have done their homework and know the players and their backgrounds. One commentator however is not enough in one match.
With a bigger budget as the tournament progresses, we expect two commentators in every match soon. The availability of the statistics for the commentators during the halftime and the end game is breath of fresh air and an excellent service to the audience.
Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Army, both sponsored by Elan Vita Diagnostic Solutions of football crazy businessman Keith Buyco, have contrasting results, with the PAF escaping past Don Bosco Garelli FC 1-0, while Philippine Army bowing to a very young Tuloy FC 2-3, in the main game last Saturday.
Come backing club, Davao Aguilas and Club de Football Manila scored similar wins against separate opponents Sunday.
Davao Aguilas needed a second half push to win over the fighting Adamson University 2-0, while CF Manila scored two goals from corners in the second half to down another come backing Loyola FC, 2-0.
This year’s Copa is more exciting because six new teams, three come backing teams, three school teams and the five regular Philippine Football League clubs.
They are pilled in three Groups with the top two teams in each group and the two best third placers advancing to the quarterfinals.
The quarterfinals and the semi finals are two legged competitions while the final will be a winner take all match.
Teams in Group A are CF Manila, Philippine Air Force, Far Eastern University, Kaya Iloilo, Don Bosco Garelli, and Loyola FC.
Group B teams are Dynamic Herb Cebu, Manila Digger, Maharlika Manila, Pilipinas Dragons and University of the Philippines while teams in Group C are Davao Aguilas, Tuloy FC, Mendiola 1991, Stallion Laguna, Philippine Army and Adamson University. (GOD BLESS/jackbiantantambok@gmail.com)
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