#CPA2023: Familiar foes and newcomers face each other in an exciting competition

After the draw that was held at the Philippine Football Federation headquarters in Pasig City last June 17, 2023, the 2023 Copa Paulino Alcantara is now taking shape and is proving to be more exciting compared to its previous editions with 17 teams vying for the most-coveted premier football cup competition in the country.

From what was originally touted to have 16 clubs, the 2023 Copa now boasts a total of 17 clubs headed by the Philippines Football League mainstays Maharlika Manila FC, Mendiola FC 1991, Stallion Laguna FC, Dynamic Herb Cebu FC, and newly-minted league champions Kaya FC-Iloilo.

The tournament also welcomes seven amateur clubs, two of which have already seen action in the recent edition of the Philippines Football League (PFL) namely Loyola FC, and Davao Aguilas - University of Makati. They'll be joined by Inter Manila FC who shook the draw with rumors that Stephan Schröck founded and will feature with the team, Tuloy FC, Don Bosco Garelli FC, PIlipinas Dragons FC, and AIA 7s Football League standouts Manila Digger FC.

To spice the competition a bit more, the PFL also brought in three teams from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) which are Adamson University, University of the Philippines, and the reigning champions Far Eastern University, and wrapping up the 17 clubs participating this year are the two armed forces clubs Philippine Air Force FC and Philippine Army FC.

The draw gave us a glimpse of how interesting the competition will be through its format of having two groups of six and a group of five where the top two teams from each group and the two best third-placed teams will advance to the knockout stages.

Group A is already shaping up as the tournament's group of death as league champions Kaya FC-Iloilo were drawn with Inter Manila FC, Don Bosco Garrelli FC, UAAP champs FEU Tamaraws, and their bitter rivals Loyola FC and Philippine Air Force FC.

Group B will also see some familiar faces as the league runners-up Cebu FC were drawn with Maharlika Manila FC, PIlipinas Dragons FC, Manila Digger FC, and UP Fighting Maroons. Wrapping up the draw are the teams from Group C namely Stallion Laguna FC, Mendiola FC 1991, Davao Aguilas-UMak, TUloy FC, Adamson University, and Philippine Army FC.

“We hope that the expanded cast of participants in the cup will generate more attention in the club football scene,” said Torre. “It is exciting times in the Philippine club football as we will see the PFL clubs compete against an interesting mix of teams from the amateur ranks, university teams, and the armed forces.”