JOVIN Bedic scored a hat trick as Kaya Iloilo cruised to a 4-2 victory over Stallion Laguna in the 2018 Philippines Football League on Wednesday at the Iloilo Sports Complex in La Paz, Iloilo City.
Robert Lopez Mendy added another conversion for Kaya, which remained on second place with 32 points on 10 wins, four losses and two draws.
Stallion had a chance to take the lead early but Reynald Villarealâs attempt was halted by Kayaâs Shirmar Felongco. Kaya notched the lead in the 11th minute on a left-corner hit by Lopez Mendy.
Kaya increased the lead 2-0 with a spot kick from Bedic â a native of Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo â in the 28th minute.
The Iloilo team tried to widen the lead just before halftime break but they were well defended by the visitors.
But Kaya was not denied in the second half as Bedic nailed a shot from close range for a 3-0 edge. The IIonggo had another conversion minutes later to complete a hat trick.
Stallion pulled one back after that on an easy hit by another Ilonggo, Jan Jesus Melliza, from a Fitch Arboleda pass. The visitors later made their second goal on a breakaway by Nathaniel Alquiros.
âEvery time we play here in Iloilo we just want to play good football,â said Kaya head coach Noel Marcaida. âWe want the Ilonggos to be happy watching the game. We want them to feel that every game is worth watching.â
This was the third straight defeat of Stallion, which was formerly based in Iloilo City. The team remained on fourth place in the standings with 18 points on seven wins and eight losses./PN
