Cavite, Philippines — A gloomy afternoon in Carmona turned bright for Kaya FC-Iloilo, the players shining in a 1-5 victory over Maharlika Manila FC to complete the season sweep.

Dylan Nobiraki opened the proceedings in the 12th minute, finding himself at the receiving end of yet another Daizo Horikoshi assist. A perfectly timed run inside the box earned him just enough daylight between the keeper and the last defender to flick the ball up into the top left corner. (0-1)

Fellow Japanese national Tamon Horikoshi followed him on the scoresheet, as Jhan Melliza found him with an incisive pass on the right side of the penalty area. The winger hung back just long enough to stay onside before bursting into space and finishing at the far corner. (0-2)

Fitch Arboleda came through with the dagger, notching his first goal for the yellow and black in the 39th minute. Having lined up as a right-back this game, the veteran chased down a deflected through ball from Audie Menzi, bearing down on goal like he was shot from an arrow before laying the ball gently in at the near post. (0-3) 

Three minutes into added time, Captain Jovin Bedic—who made his return to the starting lineup—was fed the ball at the top of the box by Jhan Melliza. After dancing with his defender, he shook free for a perfect lefty strike that hit the crossbar and in for Iloilo’s fourth right before the half. (0-4) 

Scoring leader Daizo Horikoshi joined in on the fun after the break, making his 61st minute finish look easy. Audie Menzi pinged the ball to him from midfield, getting behind the defense to finish in the bottom right corner for his 15th goal of the season. (0-5)

Their Manila-based rivals kept fighting nonetheless, managing to snatch a goal back in the 71st minute off a fierce run from forward Ibrahima N’dour. (1-5)

With another crucial three points secured, Kaya FC extend their lead in the standings and inch closer to a historic first league title for the club. 

Starting Lineup:

CF: Bedic

LMF: D. Horikoshi, CMF: Nobiraki, CMF: Melliza, RMF: T. Horikoshi

DMF: Angeles

LB: Casambre, CB: Rota, CB: Menzi, RB: Arboleda

GK: Banzon

Subs: Behgandom, Gayoso, Amita, Giganto, Tacusalme

Coach Yu Hoshide used all five available substitutions on the afternoon: 

• Eric Giganto checked in for Marco Casambre in the 52nd minute.
• Camelo Tacusalme and Arnel Amita entered the game for Dylan Nobiraki and Fitch Arboleda in the 64th minute. 
• Nathan Bata made his first team debut in the 81st minute, checking in alongside Milad Behgandom for Zach Banzon and Jhan Melliza. 

As for cards, a late tackle from Marwin Angeles saw him pick up a yellow in the 91st minute of action.