Kaya Makati Returns to PFL Action Against JPV Marikina

After 22 days without a match in the Philippines Football League, Kaya Makati returns to action on Sunday, to face JPV Marikina at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is slated at 7pm.

“The long break has given us a lot of time to recover from a heavy schedule. We’re looking forward to a great performance against JPV,” said Kaya head coach Noel Marcaida.

The encounter comes just a few days after the PFL announced that the May 27 game between the two sides, which was initially postponed, was ruled a forfeiture due to Marikina’s inability to secure a stadium. The decision handed Kaya a 3-0 victory, improving the club’s total to 32 points from 19 matches.

“With regards to the 3 points given to us, it’s a big boost for the team heading into the game tomorrow,” said Marcaida. “But it’s also more reason for JPV to go all out tomorrow, and we’re ready 100% to accept the challenge.”

With the Marikina Sports Complex yet to be ready to host PFL matches, tomorrow’s game will be held at a neutral venue — the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

“It’s unfortunate that it’s not in Marikina. I was really excited, the Marikina Sports Complex is a five-minute travel from my house,” said Kaya goalkeeper and Marikina native, Zach Banzon. “It’s a great city, great people. And being a busy area, I was hoping lots of people from Marikina would watch.”

“Despite that, I think we’ll do our best wherever we play. We’ll do what we can with what we can control,” he said.

Both Makati and Marikina are coming from back-to-back draws, with their last meeting a 2-2 stalemate at the University of Makati.
Sunday’s game will be the first of four outings for Kaya in September.