By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Kaya Futbol Club-Iloilo capped their 2022-2023 Philippines Football League (PFL) championship run with a 3-1 victory over Stallion-Laguna Football Club at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium on Saturday, May 27.

Tamon Horikoshi, Ilonggo Jan Jesus Melliza and Jarvey Gayoso scored a goal each as the Iloilo City-based booters ended their season on top with 55 points, on 18 wins, one draw and three losses.

After several misses at the start, Kaya-Iloilo drew first blood in the 34th minute with Daizo Horikoshi finding Tamon, who dived on the ball for a header past the defense of Stallion-Laguna’s keeper Patrick Deyto.

However, Stallion-Laguna managed to equalize the score in the 57th minute with Abraham Placito converting a header from a header past the defense of Kaya-Iloilo’s Zach Banzon.

Melliza had a chance to regain the lead for Kaya-Iloilo in the 61st minute, but his attempt inside the box was wide before responding with an uncontested goal three minutes later to give the Ilonggos a 2-1 edge.

Stallion-Laguna had opportunities to tie the score, but could not score past Banzon before Kaya-Iloilo wrapped up the victory with Gayoso connecting from a fine pass by Milad Behgandom in the 83rd minute.

Kaya-Iloilo head coach Yu Hoshide said he was delighted to become part of the football club’s history in the 2022-2023 PFL season as they finally took home a league championship.

“I’m feeling good and I’m really glad that I was able to help make history for Kaya FC-Iloilo,” Hoshide said.

“Also, I think it’s all thanks to everyone involved with Kaya doing their jobs,” he said.

“Stallion-Laguna showed a very solid defense, especially their goalkeeper, but our attackers are also in very good shape this season,” the former Kaya-Iloilo Japanese booter added.

The PFL championship also served as a bounce back for the Iloilo City-based booters after losing the Copa Paulino Alcantara title when they were defeated by United City Football Club last year./ASC, WDJ