By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Kaya Futbol Club-Iloilo kept its clean slate in the 2023 Copa Paulino Alcantara following an 8-0 domination of Club de Futbol (CF) Manila at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium over the weekend.

Daizo Horikoshi and Arnel Amita finished with a brace each, while Ricardo Sendra, Jarvey Gayoso, Abou Sy, and Justin Baas added a conversion each for the Iloilo City-based booters.

The defending champions Kaya-Iloilo opened the scoring in the 12th minute as Sendra connected on a header from inside the box from a corner kick by Ilonggo Jan Jesus Melliza.

The lead was doubled in the 44th minute with Gayoso drilling a cross by Sendra before they made it 3-0 at the halftime break courtesy of Horikoshi’s connection from the back of the net.

Kaya-Iloilo continued its goal spree in the second half with Horikoshi netting his second conversion of the game from close range off a pass by Gayoso in the 56th minute.

Just a minute later, Kaya-Iloilo increased their lead to 5-0 as Amita launched a connection from 30 yards out straight into the top right corner.

Kaya-Iloilo was unable to score until the 84th minute as Horikoshi curled a cross into the box, which Sy slotted in with his head past the CF Manila’s defense.

Kaya-Iloilo closed the match with back-to-back conversions — a header from Amita in the 89th minute and a long range connection from Baas in the 90th minute.

The Iloilo City-based booters remained in second place in the standings with nine points on three wins and no loss, while CF Manila is still on top with 10 points on three wins, one draw and a loss.

Kaya-Iloilo will close out their Group A assignment on Sunday, September 10 against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws as they look to snag first place from CF Manila./ASC, WDJ