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Football: United City rallies past Kaya to claim Copa Paulino Alcantara crown

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="United City FC celebrate after winning the 2022 Copa Paulino Alcantara. Photo courtesy of the PFL." src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/tvpatrol/05/23/copa-paulino-alcantara.jpg"/><figcaption>United City FC celebrate after winning the 2022 Copa Paulino Alcantara. <em>Photo courtesy of the PFL.</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>United City came back from a goal down to stun Kaya-Iloilo, 3-2, in a thrilling final of the 2022 Copa Paulino Alcantara on Sunday night at the PFF National Training Centre in Carmona, Cavite.</p><p>Mike Ott delivered the winner in the 68th minute, converting off a set piece following a corner kick by Mark Hartmann.</p><div><script src="https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&amp;version=v2.5" async="" type="text/javascript"></script></div><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/WeArePFL/videos/334534455481741/" data-width="auto"> </div><p>United City dethroned their rivals, as Kaya had ruled the tournament in 2021 after a 1-0 triumph against the Azkals Development Team. United City did not compete in that tournament, however.</p><p>They made a triumphant comeback in 2022, advancing to the semifinals on the strength of two wins and four draws in the elimination round. Kaya topped the elims with five wins and a draw. </p><p>United City slipped past Dynamic Herb Cebu, 1-0, in the semis, and Kaya booked a similar 1-0 win against Stallion Laguna to set-up a finals clash.</p><p>United City drew first blood in the final, with Kenshiro Daniels finding the back of the net in the 11th minute.</p><p>But Kaya roared back almost immediately, as Robert Lopez found the equalizer just two minutes later before Jhan-Jhan Melliza put his side ahead in the 31st with a left-footed strike from outside the box.</p><div><script src="https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&amp;version=v2.5" async="" type="text/javascript"></script></div><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/WeArePFL/videos/764761888232587/" data-width="auto"> </div><p>United City was able to respond in the second half, as a defensive miscue by Kaya led to Hikaru Minegishi&#x27;s equalizer at the 51st minute. Ott&#x27;s strike completed the comeback in the 68th minute.</p><p>Ott went on to earn the Golden Ball, while Kaya&#x27;s Daizo Horikoshi earned the Golden Ball after scoring six goals in the tournament. Pinthus won Golden Glove honors.</p><p>In the third place match, Stallion Laguna outlasted Dynamic Herb Cebu, 2-1, with Jo Warren Beda scoring the late winner. </p>

United City came back from a goal down to stun Kaya-Iloilo, 3-2, in a thrilling final of the 2022 Copa Paulino Alcantara.