Cebu, Philippines — A cruel bounce off the far post capped off this explosive away match, but critical errors at the start of the second half spelled a 3-2 defeat for Kaya FC-Iloilo.

Making his debut in his mom’s hometown, Quincy Kameraad started in between the sticks behind the center back duo of Simone Rota and Carlyle Mitchell. Marco Casambre and Fitch Arboleda slotted in as full backs, with Jarvey Gayoso and Jhan Melliza lined up ahead of them on the left and right wing respectively. Patrick Arthur ancored the midfield behind Captain Jovin Bedic and Daizo Horikoshi, while Robert Lopez Mendy led the way as the tip of the spear.

Electricity was in the air from the opening whistle, the Cebuano fans in full form as the match went underway. Kaya came out the gates aggressive and laid on the pressure on the opposing backline.

Black shirts were a regular fixture inside Cebu’s penalty area in the first half, particularly Jovin Bedic and Robert Lopez Mendy who each both created and received several chances in front of goal.

It was ultimately the Senegalese striker who broke through in the 18th minute. Carlyle Mitchell sent up a long ball to Fitch Arboleda who took an advanced position up the right sideline, where he expertly redirected it middle to Robert. Lopez Mendy drifted between the defensive line, chested the pass down just inside the penalty area, and fired an absolute rocket of a volley—up and center past Jack Zambrano’s fingertips. (0-1)

Iloilo were keen on immediately adding a second, setting the pace and gaining a considerable edge in time of possession. However, their lead would soon be brought level in the 33rd minute.

After a tight possession near Kaya’s right corner flag, the ball ended up with Cebu’s Lorenzo Genco who crossed it middle to Arda Çinkir. The forward tapped it back to fellow Turkish player Mert Altinöz at the edge of the box, who then rifled the ball into the top right corner of Kaya’s goal. (1-1)

The match evened out somewhat heading into the halftime break, which gave the boys an opportunity to gather their bearings and turn things around. The situation took a turn for the worse instead.

Immediately after kicking off the second half, DHC sliced their way into Iloilo’s final third. JB Borlongan managed to get all the way to the right end line before passing out of the corner to Çinkir inside the box.

In a sequence that eerily mirrored their earlier goal, the forward flicked the ball back to an unmarked Altinöz at the edge of the box. Cebu’s #10 picked out the opposite, bottom-left corner this time around and gave the home team the lead in the 46th minute. (2-1)

Just a little while later, said lead would double to Iloilo’s dismay. Çinkir involved himself in the action once again: coming from behind to make a hard tackle on Carlyle Mitchell, dispossessing the defender. He then took two touches and fired from distance, finding the bottom right corner in the 50th minute. (3-1)

With the lead secured in their first home match, Cebu steadily retreated and began taking their time at every opportunity. This prompted Kaya to throw caution to the wind and embark on the comeback trail.

It wasn’t until late in the game that progress was made on the goal front, Lopez Mendy securing his brace in the 82nd minute. Daizo Horikoshi’s right-sided corner found Audie Menzi for a header, but it was deflected away by the wall of white shirts.

Ryo Fujii collected and recycled the ball to Eric Giganto on the left side of the penalty area, who then crossed it in centrally for Robert. Surrounded by four Cebu players, the striker managed to force the ball into the back of the net—again going high and up the middle. (3-2)

Iloilo attacked relentlessly, looking for any way back into the game. Chance after chance were created, including a couple of potentially missed penalty calls. Cebu’s Ren Okuda stuck his leg out and tripped Audie Menzi in the 74th minute, while Lopez Mendy could only look at the ref in disbelief after Nicolas Ferrer Jr. took his legs out from under him in the 85th.

Time wasn’t on their side however; the boys even had to stop and help out the multitude of Cebu players who unfortunately found themselves cramping up in the waning minutes of the game.

Kaya’s last chance to salvage points with an equalizer came down to a penalty deep into added time. Tensions were peaking, and everyone moved up into the box—including goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad.

Daizo Horikoshi sent the ball high and into the box. Carlyle Mitchell skied and got solid contact on his header, but it appeared to land safely into Zambrano’s arms—before Marius Kore kicked it loose. Both Cebu players fell to the ground, the ball ricocheting off Kore’s leg and bounced behind the keeper.

Sadly, it was just a hair’s breadth too far to the left—the ball hit the post and was ultimately corralled by Zambrano. Kaya were perhaps mere inches away from a miracle equalizer, but it just wasn’t meant to be.

Coach Yu Hoshide exhausted all his options in today’s match, first sending in Marwin Angeles for Jovin Bedic in the 58th minute. Ryo Fujii and Audie Menzi checked in for Patrick Arthur and Fitch Arboleda in the 69th, while Arnel Amita and Eric Giganto relieved Jhan Melliza and Jarvey Gayoso in the 80th. Melliza received Iloilo’s sole booking on the afternoon, getting a yellow card in the 63rd for a late challenge against the Cebu keeper.

Next up for Kaya is a trip to Imus, Cavite for a rematch with Mendiola FC 1991 on October 16th.