Manila, Philippines — A drizzly Saturday afternoon at RMS saw Kaya FC-Iloilo nearly pull off a flawless victory over Maharlika FC. A veteran’s emphatic return and a statement game from one of Philippine football’s best and brightest ended in a 4-1 scoreline for the yellow and black.
Zach Banzon made his return between the sticks, in front of him stood the veteran duo of Simone Rota and Carlyle Mitchell. Shirmar Felongco and Fitch Arboleda completed the backline, while Jovin Bedic and Jhan Melliza slotted into the wings ahead of them. Patrick Arthur made his PFL debut, and he was joined by Oskari Kekkonen and Daizo Horikoshi in midfield. As has been the case so far this season, Jarvey Gayoso led the way as Kaya’s sole striker.
Opposite Mendiola’s approach from last week, Maharlika employed a high press from the opening whistle. An emphasis was placed on mucking up Kaya’s passing lanes, and it was a while before they boys were able to pick out the gaps and find their rhythm.
Iloilo eventually opened up the scoring in the 13th minute. Fitch Arboleda sent a long diagonal ball to Daizo Horikoshi at the left edge of the box, the speedster then cut back to his right before hitting a low shot on goal. The goalkeeper got both gloves on the ball, but made the mistake of spilling it in front of the former King Eagle, Jarvey Gayoso. (1-0)
Kaya found their groove and began laying a siege on the final third, earning their fair share of corners in the process. The boys used those chances to debut some new set piece tactics, finally finding joy from them in the 41st minute.
Jhan Melliza received the ball back from Daizo down the right flank on a short corner play, rolling left as he swung the ball into the box at a nasty angle. Perfect placement met perfect timing as the cross found Big Man Carlyle Mitchell rolling right, ducking down to place his header far post in his first game back from injury. (2-0)
Everything was going Iloilo’s way heading into halftime, but the Manila-based side came out of the break with renewed energy. Maharlika pounced on every little mistake in the build up, turning the start of second period into a more even back-and-forth affair.
Following some key substitutions and improved execution overall, Kaya seized back control of the game in the 79th minute. Marco Casambre’s interception at midfield made its way to Arnel Amita on the counter, the playmaker then laying the ball off for Gayoso at the edge of the box. The striker then turned, took a touch with his left, and fired a missile with his right—burying it in the bottom right corner. (3-0)
Not satisfied in the least, the forward bagged himself his first hat trick for Kaya FC just under two minutes later. Jhanjhan’s direct inswinging corner struck true, finding Jarvey in the six-yard-box as he elevated and headed the ball in far post. (4-0)
It was a complete game for the 25-year-old forward: displaying his speed and poaching instincts with the first goal, his patience and technique with the second, and his verticality with the third. Sadly, the same couldn’t be said about Iloilo’s game as a whole—the elusive clean sheet managing to evade them for the second week in a row.
A mistake in the backline sprung a counter from Maharlika in added time, leading to a breakaway two-on-one situation. Zach Banzon came off his line in a hurry, but it was Audie Menzi who hustled back to intercept a cross in front of the open goal.
The black shirts were relentless however, as Isaac Essel muscled his way down the left flank before crossing it to former Kaya player OJ Clarino—who struck it first time on the half-volley for Manila’s well played consolation prize. (4-1)
Coach Yu Hoshide used all five of his substitutions in this match, first sending in Eric Giganto and Marco Casambre for Jovin Bedic and Shirmar Felongco at halftime. Arnel Amita checked in for Patrick Arthur in the 63rd, ten minutes before Mar Diano relieved Carlyle Mitchell in the 73rd. Lastly, Audie Menzi was sent in for Simone Rota immediately after Jarvey’s final goal in the 81st. No Iloilo players made their way into the referee’s book.
While the boys still have some work to do in the tidiness department, four goals to secure four wins in four games is plenty to be proud of. Kaya FC-Iloilo will enjoy another week at the top of the table, before returning to face Stallion Laguna FC on Saturday, September 3rd.
