MANILA – Kaya Futbol Club-Iloilo overcame an early deficit to turn back Mendiola 1991 Football Club, 6-1, in the 2022-2023 Philippines Football League on Saturday evening at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
Ilonggo Jovin Bedic spearheaded the offense with two goals, while Eric Ben Giganto, Jarvey Gayoso, Daizo Horikoshi and Ilonggo Jhanjhan Melliza added a conversion each for Kaya-Iloilo.
The lopsided victory allowed the Iloilo City-based football club to stay on top of the standings with nine points after winning all of their three assignments so far in the three-week old tourney.
However, it was not an ideal start for the Yu Hoshide-mentored Kaya-Iloilo as Mendiola 1991’s Aaron Altiche converted on a counter attack in the 21st minute to give his team a 1-0 edge.
Kaya-Iloilo was quick to recover from their first allowed goal of the season with team captain Bedic connecting on a game-tying header at the 40th minute from a wide pass by Giganto.
Giganto, who now has three goals so far in the season, surged the Ilonggo booters ahead just before the halftime break as he showcased his skill to get off a fantastic volley just near the box.
Kaya-Iloilo widened the lead further to start the second half as Gayoso knocked in a missed shot by Ilonggo Shirmar Felongco at the 55th minute mark before Bedic completed his brace 20 minutes later.
Even with the match already settled, Kaya-Iloilo still continued to pound on the defense of Mendiola 1991 with back-to-back corner shots from Horikoshi and Melliza at the final minute.
With the loss, Mendiola 1991 remained at the last place of the seven-team standings with zero points after dropping all of their three games so far.
Kaya-Iloilo, a runner-up in the recent Copa Paulino Alcantara, will aim for its fourth consecutive win as they face Maharlika Manila FC at four in the afternoon on August 28 with the venue of that match to be confirmed./PN
