Manila, Philippines — The reigning PFL Champions have entered the Copa Paulino Alcantara fold in commanding fashion, taking home a 7-0 victory over old rivals Loyola FC. It was a brilliant showing from the new-look Kaya FC-Iloilo, with four debutantes on the scoresheet and a statement game from the newly-appointed captain.   

Ricki Sendra opened his and Iloilo’s Copa accounts with a header in the 11th minute, skying to meet Daizo Horikoshi’s inswinging corner. (0-1)

Fitch Arboleda donned the armband and led his squad by example, scoring the first of his two goals in the 31st. Coming in from the right wing to the edge of the penalty area, he chested down a cross from Daizo and took it on the half-volley into the back of the net. (0-2) 

Justin Baas notched a brace of his own, the first coming off a deflected ball into the box. In fact, he mirrored the captain’s half-volley effort and drilled in a low strike in the 33rd. (0-3) 

Arboleda then completed his brace right before the half, receiving another cross from Horikoshi around the same spot he found his prior joy. With enough space and time to load up, he fired an absolute rocket into the upper right corner in the 43rd. (0-4)

Baas found his shooting boots again in the 50th. After receiving the ball centrally from Abou Sy just beyond the penalty arc, the midfielder’s lefty strike crawled beyond the keeper and in for Kaya’s fifth. (0-5)

Sy worked tirelessly as the team’s frontman all game, and finally got rewarded for his efforts in the 58th minute. Daizo danced his way to the goal line before sending in a low ball into the six-yard box for a tidy finish from the striker. (0-6)

Capping the night was Mark Swainston, who opened his account by finishing an 89th minute corner set piece. The ball glanced off two heads before being saved from going out by Eric Giganto, landing squarely for Iloilo’s new #6 to put away. (0-7)

Three points places Kaya in fourth place in Group A—as the Kaya faithful celebrate a victory over old derby foes Loyola to kick off the cup campaign.

Starting Lineup: 3-4-3

LF: Horikoshi,  ST: Sy,  RF: Amita

LWB: Melliza, CM: Sendra, CM: Baas, RWB: Arboleda©

CB: Casambre,  CB: Saito,  CB: Rota

GK: Kammeraad

Subs: Bandeken, Bata, Diano, Romero, Giganto, Angeles, Swainston, Dizon, Lopez Mendy, Gayoso

Coach Colum Curtis used all seven available substitutions this evening: 

• Mark Swainston, Curt Dizon, and Julian Romero made their debuts in the 61st minute, checking in for Ricki Sendra, Jhan Melliza, and Fitch Arboleda. 
• Marwin Angeles, Eric Giganto, and Mar Diano came in for Arnel Amita, Justin Baas, and Simone Rota in the 76th minute. 
• Lastly, Robert Lopez Mendy returned from injury in the 82nd minute, checking in for Abou Sy.