CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines-Tuloy FC pulled off a dramatic 3-2 victory over Philippine Army in its first-ever taste of top-flight action to highlight the opening weekend of the Copa Paulino Alcantara at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
James Demate scored the go-ahead goal in the 88th minute as the team composed of young footballers from Tuloy sa Don Bosco School in Alabang, Muntinlupa City upset the well-experienced Armed Forces side in Group C.
John Sajor scored twice for Tuloy, one of 12 clubs outside of the Philippines Football League that took part in the annual cup competition which was finally opened this year for non-amateur sides.
“We proved that we can compete against high-level teams even if we’re only a group of street children,” Sajor said in Filipino.
Philippine Air Force marked its Copa return with a 1-0 win over Don Bosco Garelli on an early second half goal from Dari Poderoso.
The Airmen got the full three points in Group A after their first cup match since the 2019 edition.
Davao Aguilas, runner-up in the inaugural run in 2018, also prevailed in its comeback to the tournament by claiming a 2-0 win over Adamson University in Group C on second-half goals from Serge Kaole and Rendon Cielo.
Club de Futbol Manila denied Loyola FC, another Copa returnee, by also posting a 2-0 victory in Group A behind Mikio Umilin and Benjie Panotes.