Carmona, Cavite — In a match that was way too close for comfort, Kaya FC-Iloilo pulled out a 2-3 win over Stallion Laguna FC. A near-perfect performance in the first half was followed by a tense, nail-biting affair in the second. Iloilo took home all three points, but frustration lingered in the air of the post-game huddle. Learning from this experience will be all the more important as the Copa begins nearing its final stages.

The afternoon got off to an outstanding start with the opening goal coming in the 10th minute. Carlyle Mitchell towered over everyone in the box to receive Jhan Melliza’s free kick, and softly guided the ball towards the far post. (0-1)

Jhan delivered another long-range assist in the 19th minute, lobbing the ball from past midfield towards Shirmar Felongco in space. A miskick from a Laguna defender left Noy in a one-on-one situation, who then he took a touch and lifted it cleanly over the keeper to double the lead. (0-2)

The clinical showing continued in the 28th minute when Carlyle returned the favor: delivering a ball from deep inside Kaya’s half towards Daizo, who rose and headed it through perfectly to a sprinting Jhanjhan. The La Paz native hit it first-time from the edge of the box, calmly sending it into the bottom right corner for a goal of his own. (0-3)

Iloilo repeatedly torched Laguna’s high press, switching play patiently and picking out distance opportunities over the opposing backline. Iloilo’s latest addition Patrick Arthur did well to help organize the build-up play, as well as play spoiler to Laguna’s attempts to dispossess him or play through the middle.

In a display of heart and fighting spirit, this undermanned Kaya side—missing their Captain, main striker, and several of their dynamic offseason signings—picked right up where they left off and had full control of the match going into the halftime break.

Things changed rather quickly.

Kaya coasted through the first fifteen minutes of the second half, but a deflected clearance from Simone Rota in the 61st minute fell perfectly into the path of Stallion’s Abou Sy. The forward surged towards goal and planted the ball past an outstretched Kenry Balobo to pull one back for the pink shirts. (1-3)

The match’s pace gradually picked up, turning into a more up-and-down contest than it had been previously. Iloilo created several chances to regain the three-goal cushion, but their opponents were beginning find their rhythm in the final third.

Stallion struck again in the 70th minute, having progressed the ball down towards Kaya’s left baseline. Kouichi Belgira sent in a low cross past the entire backline towards an unmarked Matthew Nierras, who promptly brought the lead back down to one. (2-3)

Laguna were hot on the comeback trail, and it took everything Iloilo had to hold them off as the game dragged on and fatigue started to set in. The boys took their foot off the gas pedal and didn’t recapture the intensity they played with in the first period until it was too late—which actually cost Kaya in the end.

The tension that was building between the two teams finally snapped in added time. A 91st minute corner from Stallion led to a scramble in front of goal and a clearance from Carlyle. Unfortunately, his boot brought down Laguna’s Gabriel Silva though there was no foul called.

His teammate Kameron Bolden took exception to that and rushed the Big Man, which led to a fight breaking out in the waning minutes of the match. Both Bolden and Mitchell were sent off with red cards, giving this crazy game a fitting end.

Fitch Arboleda had to leave the game after picking up an injury, and was replaced by Eric Giganto in the 68th minute. Jarvey Gayoso also made his return to the pitch, checking in for Shirmar Felongco in the 71st minute. Lastly, match hero Jhan Melliza came off for Ryo Fujii in the 87th minute. As for other bookings, Felongco picked up a yellow card right after he scored for taking his jersey off to celebrate his first goal since 2018, and Arthur was given one following a hard tackle in the 84th.

In the sixth and final match before the knockout round, Kaya FC-Iloilo is set to face Dynamic Herb Cebu FC on May 12, 5:00 PM. A win there would secure top seeding in the standings going into the Copa Semifinals.