By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Kaya FC-Iloilo grabbed its third-straight victory after dumping Stallion Laguna FC, 3-0, last March 12, 2023, to stay at the top of the Philippines Football League (PFL) standings.
After masterful performances against Mendiola FC 1991 and Maharlika FC, the Ilonggo booters stuck to their winning ways and replicated their dominance against Stallion Laguna.
It only took four minutes for Kaya FC to draw first blood courtesy of young superstar Jarvey Gayoso who found the back of the net off Daizo Horikoshi’s free kick.
The Iloilo onslaught didn’t end after the Gayoso conversion as Mar Diano doubled their lead in the 13th minute after a scramble for the ball possession inside the penalty area.
After a missed rebound kick from Eric Giganto, Diano was in the right place in the most perfect time and quickly fired a blazing left-footed shot that went past Stallion’s goalkeeper.
Just when Kaya FC it would be a walk in the park at the start of the second half, Stallion Laguna went back to their defensive game plan and made it hard for the Ilonggos to cash in a goal.
Despite Kaya FC’s crisp passing in the midfield that generated many options in both wings, Stallion Laguna was all over the pitch and prevented Iloilo from any clean attempts.
It was late in the second half when Kaya FC converted its last goal after Arnel Amita swiftly cruised past Stallion FC’s defenders.
The play was made possible after Fitch Arboleda threw a through ball pass to Ilonggo skipper Jovin Bedic who located the trailing Amita for the icing on the cake.
With the win, Kaya FC is still the no. 1 team in the PFL with an outstanding win-loss record of 13-3 built from 39 big points.
