Manila, Philippines — Under the floodlights on a rain-soaked and muddy Saturday evening, Kaya FC-Iloilo celebrated five wins in a row with a 3-0 victory over Stallion Laguna FC. The long-time rivals enjoyed a back-and-forth match that was even in many aspects, but it was Iloilo’s quality on both final thirds that led to the stark difference in goals earned and goals saved.

Quincy Kammeraad started in goal, ahead of him lined up a backline of Marco Casambre, Simone Rota, Carlyle Mitchell, and Mar Diano. Ryo Fujii made his return to the starting lineup, flanked on the wings by Captain Jovin Bedic and Eric Giganto. Daizo Horikoshi and Oskari Kekkonen resumed their partnership in midfield; meanwhile Jarvey Gayoso led the way up top.

It took until the 38th minute for Kaya to break through after some spectacular build up play on the right flank. The ball was reversed to Oskari Kekkonen near midfield, who shook his defender and advanced it to Mar Diano up the sideline. The right-back initiated a give and go with Eric Giganto, who duped his defender with a nifty turn before giving it back.

With plenty of space up right edge of the penalty area, Diano sent in a low cross for Jarvey Gayoso inside the six-yard box. The striker had to turn around to receive the ball, but he smoothly completed his spin and squeezed it past the keeper and into the bottom right corner. (1-0)

Second time’s the charm for Jovin Bedic, as Kaya’s captain notched a highlight-reel goal of his own in the 41st minute. After missing a previous volley attempt just minutes before, Vidic had a second crack at it and found joy off a corner from Daizo Horikoshi—meeting a shallow clearance with a waist-high strike that he sent bouncing into the bottom right corner once more. (2-0)

Kaya’s leading assist man got in on the goal scoring action in the 64th minute, after Daizo earned himself a free kick after getting taken down at the edge of Stallion’s box. Both he and Jarvey stood over the ball intently, as Michael Asong scrambled to line his defenders up correctly.

The keeper chose wrong however, opting to block off the lefty Gayoso and leaving just enough room for Horikoshi to curl his shot low and around the wall. Despite diving full stretch, the Japanese speedster also found the bottom right corner for his fourth goal of the season and Kaya’s third of the night. (3-0)

Despite the lopsided scoreline, Stallion had their chances to get back into the game thanks to the success they found on counters. Laguna’s attackers constantly tested Iloilo’s backline, even getting the best of them on several occasions. However, Quincy Kammeraad was on a mission—and not even all the rain and mud could keep him from his clean sheet that night.

The National U-23 keeper faced eleven shots-on-target (which actually outnumbered Kaya’s eight), but let none of them through as he racked seven saves on the night. The white shirts fought down to the wire for a consolation goal, but were ultimately unable to overcome the one man wall of blue—who earned himself the Man of the Match honor.

Seeing as Iloilo’s bench reduced to just four players, including GK Nathan Bata, Coach Yu Hoshide made only three changes. Marwin Angeles checked in for Eric Giganto in the 65th minute, Patrick Arthur relieved Jarvey Gayoso in the 77th, and Audi Menzi made his appearance for Mar Diano in the 86th. No Kaya players received a card in this match.

With this win, Iloilo have won five games in a row—their best start to a league season in club history. They now enter a much needed bye week, giving the players time to recover and get healthy ahead of the massive fixture on September 17. Should the PFL’s plans push through, Kaya FC-Iloilo will be heading away to face defending league champs United City FC: their first meeting at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium.