A pair of clubs are using the 2023 Copa Paulino Alcantara as a springboard to see action in the Philippine Football League.

Loyola FC and Club de Futbol Manila are making a lot of heads turn as they bid to become the latest members of the prestigious tourney that currently has six members.

Loyola has been rising in Group A of the Copa following an emphatic 6-1 victory over Garelli FC last Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Loyola coach Roxy Dorlan told Daily Tribune that he is very happy with their performance, hoping that a strong finish would lead to their return to the PFL.

The last time the Greywolves saw action in the PFL was in 2017 under the banner of Meralco Manila.

They made it as far as the finals series before settling for a bronze medal following a 3-1 win over powerhouse Kaya FC-Iloilo in December 2017.

Loyola, however, pulled out of PFL the following year to focus on running its football academy.

"We're still young but you can see it yourself, we can compete well against more experienced teams. I think we will just get better and better with the type of exposure," said Dorlan, whose club is now in third place of Group A with a 1-1-2 win-draw-loss record.

"We have a good squad and we are just trying to put up the best performance with the time given to us. Moving forward, we are aiming to get back to the PFL and I think what we showed in the past three to four months, I think it's good preparation for the PFL."

Also making waves in Group A is Club de Futbol Manila, which posted three straight wins.

Formed this year after the Azkals Development Team withdrew from PFL, CF Manila coach Frank Muescan said they are looking to build off from the foundation that the young Azkals had laid down to form their own identity.

He is also hoping their application will be approved by the Philippine Football Federation since they are emerging as one of the favorites to lift the Copa title.

"We are applying for a license to play in the PFL and we are hoping the PFF will give us an opportunity to play in the PFL," Muscean said.

"This is the first tournament we joined. The boys' composure is there and we adapted the philosophy of ADT, which is building our attack from the back."