Carmona, Cavite — Kaya FC-Iloilo remain atop the PFL standings thanks to their second win in a row; a comfortable 1-4 victory over Maharlika Manila FC.
Kenry Balobo one again manned the goal line for Iloilo, backing up the center-back duo of Simone Rota and Camelo Tacusalme for the second week in a row. Fitch Arboleda and Marco Casambre slotted in as the right and left full-back respectively, with Marwin Angeles patrolling the deep midfield. Arnel Amita and Ryo Fujii were Kaya’s central pairing once again, flanked on the left and right by Daizo Horikoshi and Eric Giganto. Captain Jovin Bedic made his return to the first eleven, leading the pack up front at forward.
In back-to-back games, Kaya got on the board early with Daizo Horikoshi scoring the opener in the fifth minute. Marwin Angeles intercepted a pass at midfield and immediately attacked on the counter, forwarding it to frontman Jovin Bedic. After taking a beat to let the runs develop, the Captain sent the ball wide to the right for Eric Giganto—who promptly crossed it back middle for an easy lefty tap in by the Speedster. (0-1)
The boys took the patient approach in dealing with Maharlika’s low block, slowly luring the white shirts out of their shell throughout the first half. When their opponents started committing men forward to serve as targets for long balls, Iloilo made sure to attack the spaces left behind—eventually finding joy in the 35th minute.
After receiving the ball at the edge of the attacking third, Arnel Amita turned and attacked Manila’s backpedaling backline. The ball control wizard shook one defender, then another before laying it off to Giganto up the right side once again. With plenty of space in the box, Eric took a touch and went near post to beat the keeper and complete the Maco Boys Connection. (0-2)
Kaya kept their momentum as halftime loomed, turning in one more goal before the break. After some build up on the right side, the ball was cycled back to Angeles—who sent it over the top and into the box for Arnel Amita. Right before the ball could bounce out the end line, Nano pinged it up and centrally where it was met by a certain poker-faced individual. In the 43rd minute, Marco Casambre scored his first-ever goal for Kaya with a clean header into a wide open net. (0-3)
Facing a comfortable lead heading into the break, Maharlika reentered the game on a mission. A more aggressive defensive press met the boys in the second half, and the pace evened out between the two sides.
Manila were able to pull one back in the 79th minute after pushing their advantage on an undermanned Iloilo side. Jelo Facturanan sent in a high cross into the box for Spencer Galasa who headed it down. Kenry Balobo reacted well to the ball and got a hand on it, but was only able to knock it into the roof of the net as MMFC got their consolation. (1-3)
The boys were not going to let them have the last laugh, however. Audie Menzi sent a long ball to Shirmar Felongco up the left flank, who switched it over to his right and fired an inswinging cross into the six yard box. Cutting inside to meet it was Eric Giganto, in stride and rising for a header of his own. #9 secured his brace in the game’s waning minutes, sending Kaya fans home on a good note. (1-4)
Coach Yu Hoshide made use of all five available substitutions in this match, first sending in Mar Diano for Fitch Arboleda at halftime. Carlyle Mitchell and Audie Menzi checked in for Simone Rota and Camelo Tacusalme in the 62nd, while Jhan Melliza came in for Daizo Horikoshi in the 70th. Lastly, Shirmar Felongco relieved Marco Casambre in the 81st. Arnel Amita notched two assists on the evening, but unfortunately he also received two yellow cards as well—one in the 59th and the other in the 77th.
Next up for the men’s team is a trip a little further south, taking on Stallion Laguna FC at the Biñan Football Stadium on October 29th.
