Manila, Philippines — Though few games can compare to the sheer excitement of the season opener’s stoppage-time winner, this Visayas Derby came pretty close. It was end to end action at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, where Kaya FC-Iloilo ultimately bested Dynamic Herb Cebu FC to the tune of three goals in the second half.

Kaya’s first eleven featured Quincy Kammeraad on the goal line behind a familiar back four of Marco Casambre, Simone Rota, Mar Diano, and Fitch Arboleda. Daizo Horikoshi made his return to the starters and slotted into the midfield alongside Ryo Fujii and Oskari Kekkonen. Captain Jovin Bedic and Jhanjhan Melliza filled the wings, while Jarvey Gayoso took point for the second week in a row.

The match got off to a relatively even start with both Iloilo and Cebu trading probing attacks, high pressures, and worthwhile chances. The red shirts were keen on the counter and kept the backline honest in their tracking back, but every such attempt was sure to see an avalanche of yellow jerseys swarm the other way.

The proceedings had turned up a notch at the 25-minute mark, as the pace picked up and the two Visayan clubs began exchanging blows from one third of the field to the other. Relatively untested to that point, the keepers stepped up big time with both Quincy and former Kaya player Ace Villanueva trading fine saves throughout the latter part of the period.

The scoreline held at nil-nil going into the halftime break, but the game started to lean Kaya’s way once play resumed with repeated ventures into the Gentle Giant’s final third. Iloilo finally broke through in the 55th minute, thanks in large part to their composure and playing to the whistle.

Jovin beat Cebu’s Mert Altinöz to a contested ball following a throw-in, and though there was contact between the two, the referee simply called play on. Ryo seized the opportunity and placed a pass up the left wing to Daizo, who took a lone touch and crossed low into the box for a lurking Jarvey. The former King Eagle timed his run perfectly, slipping between the two center-backs to calmly plant the ball into the back of the net. (1-0)

Things began to get testy following the goal as DH Cebu started giving up set pieces like it was going out of style—and while the ensuing chances were successfully fended off, the boys were able to slow things down and take command of the pace. With one side looking to manage the lead and the other with not much to lose, the race for the match’s second goal had begun; and unfortunately for the visitors, it wouldn’t be an equalizer.

As the rain started to pour and the clock ticked closer to full time, a well-executed pressure at the center line led to a blisteringly quick counterattack for Iloilo in the 86th minute. Jarvey released Eric Giganto on a long through pass up the right flank, who brought the ball deep enough to squeeze it through the keeper and defender. At the other end of the cross was Daizo who tapped it into the open goal, the assist from the prior game repaid in full. (2-0)

Horikoshi didn’t stop there, however. The Kanagawa Speedster secured his brace in stoppage time when a short corner kick led to a two-man game between Eric and Arnel Amita. In the 92nd minute, Nano cut in deep towards the goal line before sending a cross up into the box for Daizo to redirect with his head towards the far post and in. (3-0)

Though the boys left several chances on the table, it was an overwhelmingly positive result for Kaya. For a team that were looking to improve on their performance in the first week, this victory was nothing short of emphatic.

Coach Yu Hoshide used four of his five available substitutions, first sending in game one hero Eric Giganto for Jhanjhan Melliza in the 67th minute. He then made a double change in the 78th minute, putting in Arnel Amita and Marwin Angeles for Jovin Bedic and Oskari Kekkonen. Lastly, Hoshide subbed in Patrick Arthur for PFL Man of the Match Jarvey Gayoso, who exited the game to a roaring ovation in the 91st minute. No Iloilo players made their way into the referee’s book in this match.

Kaya FC-Iloilo will return to face Mendiola FC 1991 on August 21, 4:00 PM at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.