Philippines Football League side Ceres-Negros FC completed a sweep of League and Cup titles after clinching the Copa Paulino Alcantara 2019 following a 2-1 win over Kaya FC-Iloilo in the final last Saturday 16 November 2019 at Biñan Football Stadium.
Goals from Robert Lopez-Mendy and Tristan Robles in either half completed an immaculate season for the Negros side, which did not lose a match in the entire Philippines Football League 2019 season.
Lopez-Mendy, who was also named the tournament’s top goalscorer, broke the deadlock at the half-hour mark. James Younghusband was pivotal with an inviting ball for the Senegalese to open the scoring.
Robles made it 2-0 in the 68th minute. The midfielder was gifted a chance of a lifetime after Lopez-Mendy’s run was thwarted by the Kaya defense.
Kaya, however, put up a strong fight in the dying minutes. Kenshiro Daniels pulled a goal back in the 85th minute. Despite the tight finish, Ceres held on to claim their second title of the season after winning a third straight Philippines Football League title last month.
Joining Lopez-Mendy with the individual honors were Roland Muller as Golden Glove awardee and Japanese midfielder Takashi Odawara named as Golden Ball awardee
“Congratulations to Ceres-Negros FC for completing a perfect Philippines Football League season culminating with a League and Cup double,” said PFF president Mariano Araneta, Jr. “Their feat is both a difficult and inspiring run. Credit also goes to all the clubs and the Philippines Football League for staging a memorable season all the way to the final.”