Kaya FC–Iloilo Looks to Stay Unbeaten at Home ahead of Visayas Clasico The top two teams in the PFL clash in what is expected to be a fiery affair between Iloilo and Negros

 

Kaya FC–Iloilo vs Ceres Negros FC
3pm | Saturday, July 7, 2018
Iloilo Sports Complex

July 7, 2018; Iloilo — A month after a feisty 1-1 draw at the Iloilo Sports Complex, Kaya FC–Iloilo and Ceres Negros face off once more in front of the passionate Ilonggo football fans. Saturday’s 3pm encounter is the first of back-to-back games between the top two sides in the Philippines Football League, with the second match set to take place just four days after, also at the Iloilo Sports Complex.

Fresh from victory over Stallion Laguna in midweek, Kaya enters the contest riding high on three straight wins and 12 goals scored. The Iloilo club currently sits nine points behind the league leaders, Ceres, who are coming from two consecutive victories of their own.

“It’s tough playing three games in eight days. Tomorrow will be our second [match] out of the three. It will be an interesting game knowing that it’s a battle between first and second. We will keep the same intensity as we have brought in the previous games,” said Iloilo head coach Noel Marcaida. “The morale of the team is very high. Everyone is looking forward to these two games against Ceres FC. We will look to keep our unbeaten record here in Iloilo.”

Without a loss in five outings at the Iloilo Sports Complex, with four wins and one draw, Kaya is banking on the enthusiastic support from the home crowd.

“They’re our 12th man in the game. Their undying support is very important for us, and they play a big role every time we play here. So, we’re looking forward to that tomorrow. It will be an exciting game for sure,” said Marcaida. “The Negros and Iloilo match is always a rivalry. It’s called the Visayas Clasico historically [for a reason].”

Although Saturday’s match is expected to be a feisty affair, Kaya goalkeeper Ref Cuaresma, who hails from Dumaguete, isn’t allowing himself to be too caught up in the tension between the rival clubs.

“I’m proud of where I come from, but it’s the club that I play for. And playing for Iloilo is an overwhelming feeling. Despite coming from Negros, it’s a wonderful feeling [to play for Iloilo]. Tomorrow’s rivalry is another game in the schedule for us. When we play, we come out with a plan, we play together as a team, and take it one game at a time. Whatever rivalry there is, it’s still football and we respect each other. It may be a hard fought match, but in the end we’re all friends in football,” he said.

The next two matches will be particularly vital for Kaya FC–Iloilo (32 points, 16 matches played), as they can get within touching distance of Ceres Negros (41 points, 17 matches played) with a pair of wins.

Tickets to the match are priced at P50 for Grandstand and P150 for VIP, and will be for sale at the Iloilo Sports Complex entrances on game day. The match is also expected to be available for live streaming over PFLTV.ph.