In Sunday’s primetime match, Kaya FC-Iloilo ran riot once again with a resounding 9-1 victory over Mendiola FC 1991. 

The floodgates opened in the ninth minute when Shuto Komaki slotted the ball into the bottom corner after receiving a neat layoff from Robert Lopez Mendy. 

The Japanese winger then paid the favor forward, doubling the lead shortly after in the 18th minute. Eric Esso, showing his finishing instincts in the box, tapped the ball home from close range after a perfectly-weighted low cross from Komaki. 

Robert Lopez Mendy scored the next two, securing a brace in the first half. In the 24th minute, Jhan Melliza found him in acres of space with ample room to unleash a powerful strike into the back of the net. The team’s attacking symphony continued in the 28th minute, with Eric Esso threading a pass to Mar Diano on the wing, who then sent a delightful cross in for the Senegalese striker to finish off. 

Red card drama in the 43rd minute involving Kaya captain Audie Menzi and Mendiola’s Amir Aningalan did little to disrupt Kaya’s goal-scoring rhythm. 

In the second half, Jhan Melliza picked up right where they left off by capitalizing on a wayward pass from the Mendiola keeper—redirecting it towards goal in the 50th minute. 

Kaishu Yamazaki joined the party four minutes later, controlling a high cross from Eric Esso before unleashing a powerful half-volley from just outside the six-yard box.

Mendiola eventually pulled one back in the 65th minute, spoiling Walid Birrou’s clean sheet with a well-taken free kick by their captain Hamed Hajimehdi. 

Shuto Komaki answered back by adding to his tally in the 71st minute. A clever dummy run by Kaishu Yamazaki created space for Jovin Bedic, who played the ball back to the midfielder inside the box. With all eyes on him, he unselfishly squared the ball to an unmarked Komaki who tapped in his second of the night.

The scoring spree continued in the 75th minute when Jovin Bedic joined the action, firing a spectacular volley into the top corner—the rebound falling kindly for him following a deflected strike from Shuto. 

Finally, Kaya’s ninth and final goal came in the first minute of added time. Bandiougou Konate’s intended through ball was intercepted by a Mendiola defender, but the resulting back pass to the keeper ended up in the net for an own goal. 

This dominant win marks Kaya’s fifth consecutive victory, solidifying their position atop the Philippines Football League table. The defending champs look to extend their winning streak next weekend against Manila Montet FC.

Starting Lineup: 

LF: Komaki, ST: Lopez Mendy, RF: Melliza

CM: Yamazaki, CDM: Angeles, CM: Esso

LB: Casambre, CB: Menzi©, CB: Saito, RB: Diano

GK: Birrou

Subs: Balobo, Bata, Bedic, Lee, Park, Arboleda, Rota, Konate, Romero

Coach Yu Hoshide used all five of his available substitutions:

• Simone Rota made his long-awaited return from injury, checking in alongside Jovin Bedic for Eric Esso and Jhan Melliza in the 57th.
• Yiyoung Park and Fitch Arboleda relieved Marwin Angeles and Robert Lopez Mendy in the 69th minute.     
• Lastly, Bandiougou Konate checked in for Shuto Komaki in the 77th minute.