Kaya Makati Smash Five Past Davao Aguilas Amidst Electric Davao del Norte Atmosphere

Eric Giganto couldn’t have asked for a better homecoming, as Kaya Makati romped to a 5-1 victory over Davao Aguilas in the Philippines Football League. In front of thousands of spectators at the Davao del Norte Sports Complex, Kaya scored four goals in the second half, including one from the hometown hero.

Jovin Bedic’s brace, and goals from Alfred Osei, Giganto, and Kenshiro Daniels ensured the Makati club fly back home with maximum points and spirits flying high.

The first half gave no indication of a one-sided score line, as the opening period finished 1-0. Bedic scored first, firing in Mendy’s cross in the 20th minute. The goal came against the run of play, as the Aguilas had back-to-back chances just a few minutes prior — drawing a great save from Ref Cuaresma, and a crucial defensive block. The rest of the half saw Makati struggling to really create opportunities.

Shortly after the restart, Davao was level, with Nikola Grubjesic firing in a ball that was headed into his path from a free kick. Seven minutes later, though, it all started going downhill for the Aguilas, as Jason Cordova was given a straight red for flying in with his studs up on Marwin Angeles.

Kaya made Davao pay almost immediately, with Miguel Tanton’s free kick being turned in by Alfred Osei’s diving header.

Then, on the hour mark, Eric Giganto entered the game to a rousing ovation from the hundreds of Kaya Makati supporters who attended the game — many of them family members and friends of the Davao native.

It wasn’t long until the Kaya supporters were back on their feet, as Jovin Bedic doubled Kaya’s advantage with a powerful low shot, putting the finishing touch to Daniels’ cut back. Later, the celebrations in the Kaya section turned from boisterous to absolute pandemonium.

Well picked out by Adam Reed from the right flank, Eric Giganto took a touch to steady himself before firing in a low strike to send the stands into an eruption of ecstasy. The goal was his first in the PFL.

Right before the final whistle, Kenshiro Daniels curled in a beauty of a free kick to put the icing on a fantastic day in Davao.

“It wasn’t easy. In the first half Davao really showed what they could do,” said Kaya head coach Noel Marcaida. “They even scored. But after they went a man down, they started leaving a lot of space for us to operate. We exploited them every chance we could,” said Noel Marcaida after the game.

The result made it back-to-back wins on the road for Kaya Makati, who move back into fourth in the PFL standings with 17 points. Meanwhile, Davao Aguilas remain winless after nine outings.

Kaya Makati next face JPV Marikina on July 16, at the University of Makati.