DEFENDING champions Sts Peter and Paul Preparatory remain on course for a rare double after securing their spot in the semi-finals of the JISA/Canopy Insurance National Under-12 Alberga Cup football competition.

Many-time champions Lannaman’s Prep; Hillel Academy — now a regular presence in the last four; and former winners Emmanuel Christian Academy (ECA) are the other semi-finalists, following an exciting final round of matches in the quarter-final group stage on Saturday.

ECA were the most convincing team in the quarter-final round, winning all three of their matches to top Group B with a perfect nine points and claim an automatic spot in the semis.

The 2021 champions closed out their quarter-final assignments with a 2-1 victory over Vaz Prep, with the other group match finishing in a 3-3 result between Liberty Academy and Reach Academy, ending both teams’ chances of advancing as the top second-placed team.

Following their win over Sts Peter and Paul on Wednesday, Lannaman’s knew they had full control of the group, and they obliged to take top honours with a big 5-0 win over St Andrew Prep to finish on seven points.

Both Sts Peter and Paul and Christel House knew a big win would help their cause for the non-automatic qualifying spot but it was the champions who delivered, slamming Christel House 5-0 to close out the group on six points and a plus-six goal difference — the best among second-place finishers and enough to extend their season into the semi-finals.

Hillel Academy, the beaten finalists in 2023, tagged St Hugh’s Prep 2-0 — a result which gave them top honours in Group C after Creative Kids’ 1-0 win over Mona Prep who missed out on the semi-finals for the first time in many years.

The semis are set to take place on Wednesday, with Lannaman’s facing Sts Peter and Paul at 11:00 am at Liberty Academy in a repeat of the Henriques Cup final.

Emmanuel Christian Academy are to square off against neighbours Hillel Academy at the same venue, starting at 12:30 pm.

The final (11:30 am) and third-place play-off (10:00 am) are scheduled to unfold at American International School of Kingston (AISK) on Saturday.