MANILA – 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 on Sunday at the Biñan Football Stadium in Biñan, Laguna.
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-Iloilo drew first blood at the third minute as Gayoso received Daizo Horikoshi’s free kick and convert it past the defense of Stallion-Laguna goal keeper Hayeson Pepito.
Diano doubled the advantage for the reigning Copa Paulino Alcantara champions Kaya-Iloilo 10 minutes later as he connected from 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.
Dynamic Herb Cebu Football Club, meanwhile, remained at second place in the standings with 31 points, on nine wins, four draws and a loss, following a 2-1 victory over Azkals Developmental 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. But 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 Imus, Cavite. Maharlika Manila is now on four points, just two behind Mendiola, which stayed 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./PN
