By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Kaya Futbol Club-Iloilo leaned on a first-half goal spree to defeat Stallion-Laguna Football Club, 3-0, in the 2022-2023 Philippines Football League (PFL) at the Biñan Football Stadium in Laguna on Sunday, March 12.
Jarvey Gayoso and Mar Diano scored a goal each in the first half while Nano Amita added one late in the match as Kaya-Iloilo widened its lead further in the standings with 39 points, on 13 wins and three losses.
The Iloilo City-based football club Kaya drew first blood in the third minute as Gayoso received Daizo Horikoshi’s free kick and converted it past the defense of Stallion-Laguna goalkeeper Hayeson Pepito.
Diano doubled the advantage for the reigning Copa Paulino Alcantara champion Kaya-Iloilo 10 minutes later as he connected with a corner kick by teammate Jhan Jesus Melliza for a 2-0 halftime score.
Stallion-Laguna had their chances to enter the scoring column in the second half, but could not penetrate past the defense of Kaya-Iloilo before the latter sealed the win as Amita knocked one from long-range.
With the lopsided defeat, Stallion-Laguna remained in fourth place in the standings with 16 points, on five victories, six draws and two losses.
Meanwhile, Dynamic Herb Cebu Football Club remained in second place in the standings with 31 points, on nine wins, four draws and a loss, following a 2-1 victory over Azkals Development Team.
The Cebuanos got the lead in the opening half courtesy of a header by Rintaro Hama, but it was tied in the second half by Azkals’ Gavin Muens. Daniel Gadia assured the three points for Dynamic Herb with a connection late in the game.
Meanwhile, Maharlika Manila Football Club finally scored a win this season after stunning Mendiola 1991 FC, 1-0, at the City of Imus Grandstand in Cavite. Maharlika Manila is now on four points, just two behind Mendiola, which stood at six.
Zachary Ford scored the lone goal of the match in the 30th minute as he dashed into the penalty box from the left wing and slotted the ball past the defense of Maharlika’s Michael Asong./ASC, WDJ