MANILA – Kaya Futbol Club-Iloilo claimed its third consecutive Philippines Football League crown with a 2-0 victory over Stallion-Laguna Football Club on Sunday night at the Binan Football Stadium in Binan, Laguna.
Ilonggo Jesus Joaquin Melliza and Shuto Komaki scored a goal each for the Iloilo City-based booters, which finished the tournament on top with 44 points, on 14 wins, two draws, and two losses.
After a tightly-contested opening half, Kaya-Iloilo broke the deadlock with two minutes remaining in the opening half courtesy of a conversion from Melliza. The lead was doubled in the 78th minute on a connection from Komaki.
Manila Digger Football Club, on the other hand, fell a point short of unseating Kaya-Iloilo after concluding the season with a dominant 5-0 victory over Loyola Victorias Football Club.
Kenji Nishioka opened the scoring for Manila Digger with a 30th-minute free kick before Modou Manneh made his own conversions to make it 2-0 advantage before the halftime break.
In the second half, Manneh converted on a tough play by flicking a short cross to a Loyola Victorias player near their own goal, which the latter accidentally kicked in to give Digger a 3-0 lead, before Su Diao knocked down the next two goals.
Manila Digger ended the season behind Kaya-Iloilo with 43 points on 14 victories, one draw, and three losses. One Taguig FC and Dynamic Herb Cebu FC finished at third and fourth place, respectively.
The four football clubs will battle in a Finals series to determine the teams that will represent the country in Shopee Cup./PN
