Understanding the Rivalry: Kaya FC–Makati Vs. Meralco Manila

On Saturday, June 17, Kaya FC–Makati and Meralco Manila add a new chapter to a rivalry that began in 2011. Over the last six years the two clubs have been involved in some of the most exciting clashes in Philippine club football. Always intense, often heated, with the occasional sprinkling of controversy, it’s a thrilling fixture in the country’s footballing calendar. And with the arrival of the Philippines Football League, a new layer has been added to the already fierce competition between the two clubs.

The Origin 

It all began in 2011, in a memorable UFL Cup semifinal. Kaya FC were up by three at the half, and were seemingly on the road to the final. Meralco looked a different team after the break, though, and came back to win 5-4. Since that crazy evening at Rizal Memorial Stadium, there have been quite a few games to remember between the two teams.

In the last 11 meetings, there have been 36 goals between the pair. Kaya triumphed in five of those matches, drew three, and lost three, while accounting for 20 of the goals. Both teams have won the UFL Cup once since the rivalry began, with Kaya going on to represent the Philippines in the AFC Cup in 2016.

Makati–Manila Derby

Definition of Derby: Games between two rivals of close geographical proximity; a sporting fixture between two teams from the same town, city, or region, particularly in association football.

Not only will club pride be on the line on Saturday, so will city pride. With teams now representing cities around the country, the prospect of an NCR showdown between Makati and Manila, in itself, is a dynamic that fuels tension. 

Manila is the seat of government in the Philippines, the capital of a nation inhabited by over 100 million people. It boasts of national landmarks, of bustling markets, and a colorful history that predates the arrival of the Spanish.

Makati, on the other hand, is the financial and commercial capital of the Philippines. It’s the symbol for the cutting edge of Filipino progress. It’s where the first airport in Luzon was built, where the first skyscraper in the country was erected, and where the country’s most successful central business district lies. The city is synonymous with some of the best restaurants, the most popular watering holes, and the most vibrant nightlife. As of 2017, it’s now also home to the longest standing football club in the top flight of the Philippines.

Given the history between the two clubs, and the added backdrop of Makati versus Manila, Saturday’s derby is expected to deliver a supremely entertaining affair. Never mind that it’s a battle of first and second in the current PFL standings.