Kaya FC–Iloilo Seeks to Make Amends in Visit to Stallion Laguna Kaya FC–Iloilo travel to the Biñan Football Stadium looking to erase the memory of their last visit.

Stallion Laguna vs Kaya FC–Iloilo
3pm | Saturday | July 21, 2018
Biñan Football Stadium

Well rested after a hectic three-game home stretch, Kaya FC–Iloilo returns to the road on Saturday, looking to get its Philippines Football League campaign back on track against Stallion Laguna. The 3pm encounter will be the teams’ first meeting at the Biñan Football Stadium since Stallion came from behind to take a 3-1 victory back in April.

The defeat was a difficult one to take for Kaya early in the season, and remains a result that the team is eager to rectify.

“Every time we play Stallion, we always have a hard fought second half. If we keep the momentum from start to finish in tomorrow’s game, we can have a good result,” said Iloilo head coach Noel Marcaida.

Saturday’s match will also be the first for both clubs since the transfer window opened on July 16, making it the first opportunity for the teams to field their new signings. Stallion Laguna has added five new players to their lineup, while Kaya FC–Iloilo is welcoming three additions.

Among those that have an opportunity to see action on Saturday is Arnel Amita, a bright young prospect from Compostela Valley, who attracted plenty of attention after a couple of title-winning campaigns for Far Eastern University in the UAAP. Amita’s rapid rise was halted, however, due to injuries that kept him out of action for two years. His return to the pinnacle of Philippine football is one that has been highly anticipated by not only Kaya supporters, but football fans around the country.

“We’ve wanted to sign Amita for a few years now. He’s the type of player that can change the game. He looks small, but on the pitch he’s a big player,” said Marcaida.

“Una, masaya kasi nakabalik ako sa game after two years [out with an injury] to a professional team. Pangalawa, excited ako sa game bukas against my former teammates, Paolo (Bugas), Jhan Jhan (Melliza), and (Nicolas) Ferrer. Kung makapasok ako, gagawin ko ang lahat para matulungan yung team,” said Arnel Amita.

(“First, I’m happy because I’m back in the game after two years, and for a professional club. Second, I’m excited for tomorrow’s game against my former teammates, Paolo, Jhan Jhan, and Ferrer. If I get into the game, I’ll do everything to help the team,” said Arnel Amita)

With fellow FEU alumni Eric Giganto, Chy Villaseñor, Mike Menzi, and newcomer Audie Menzi all with the potential to see action for Kaya, Saturday’s match could very well be a reunion among Tamaraws, with Stallion also having four FEU products in their squad.

Laguna currently sits fourth in the standings with 21 points from 17 games, while Iloilo holds second place, with 33 in 18 outings.

“We have to take advantage of our home games. We lost our away games to them (Kaya FC–Iloilo) already, so we need to have a good result in the next two home games if we want a chance at second place,” said Stallion head coach Ernie Nierras.