Kaya routs Global, nears runner-up finish
KAYA FC-Iloilo moved one win away from sealing a runner-up finish after demolishing Global Cebu anew, 6-0, in its final home game in the 2018 Philippines Football League (PFL) on Saturday at the Iloilo Sports Complex.
The Lions simply dominated the outmatched People’s Club all the way as they roared to 42 points in 22 matches, strengthening their grip of the second spot.
With another lopsided win following a 4-0 blowout, Kaya Iloilo kicked Davao Aguilas FC out of contention for No. 2 and left Stallion Laguna FC as the lone contender.
“This was our third game in eight days. The players’ performance in the game really showed how hard they’ve worked in the last two weeks. It was total dominance,” said Kaya head coach Noel Marcaida.
A runner-up finish for Marcaida and his men will give the storied club a chance to return to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup. Kaya last participated in the second-tier continental club tournament last 2016.
The Lions also gave the rowdy Ilonggo crowd a massive victory in their last game at the Iloilo pitch this season.
“The fans are really of big help to us. They boost our energy every game here at the Iloilo Sports Complex,” said Man of the Match Jovin Bedic.
Miguel Tanton opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a left-footed strike from the edge of the box and Robert Lopez Mendy completed a counter-attack to double the lead just three minutes later.
Kaya’s aggression continued in the second half as captain Bedic tapped in a Mendy then capitalized a scramble inside the box to notch his brace in the 74th.
Jason Panhay and Connor Tacagni got themselves into the scoreboard in the closing moments, punctuating yet another Kaya romp over Global.
The Cebuanos fell to their 19th loss and remained deep down the cellar with only five points on a win and two draws.
Meanwhile, back-to-back champion Ceres Negros FC is looking to rebound from its failed AFC Cup title defense as it tackles Davao Aguilas FC at press time.
The Busmen lost to Home United FC of Singapore, 1-3 on aggregate, in the rematch of the Asean zonal finals.