MANILA — Kaya Iloilo booked the first seat in the Copa Paulino Alcantara final after drubbing Stallion Laguna, 3-2, in the first semifinal match-up at the Iloilo Sports Complex in Iloilo City on Sunday.
Robert Mendy's hat trick proved to be enough for Iloilo, which still needed to overcome Laguna's late first half flurry.
Mendy drilled in the opening goal of the match in the third minute, while he made it 2-0 Iloilo with his second goal of the match in the 15th minute.
Laguna, however, fought back with a 20th minute free kick goal and a Carlo Polli follow-up in the 43rd minute as both sides entered the halftime break tied at two goals each.
Mendy wasted no time to put Iloilo back on top as he made the go-ahead goal just two minutes into the second half.
Laguna had one final crack to force extra time as the team got a free kick from just the edge of the penalty box in the final play of the match but Polli sent his kick straight to the Iloilo wall as the home side finally prevailed.
Iloilo will take on the winner of the Davao-Marikina match, which is ongoing as of posting, in the championship game on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium here. (PNA)
