MANILA – Kaya Iloilo suffered its second straight loss in the 2018 Philippines Football League in the hands of Stallion Laguna 0-2 on Saturday at the Biñan Football Stadium in Laguna.
Even with the outcome, the Iloilo remained on second place in the standings with 48 points on a 15-3-3 win-loss-draw slate. Stallion is on fourth place with 24 points on a 9-9-0 record.
Kaya had an early chance to lead on an attempt from Jovin Bedic but the Ilonggo sent the ball outside. Stallion also nearly scored, courtesy of Nathaniel Alquiros, but this was well-defended.
Stallion nailed the first goal of the match in the 27th minute as Ilonggo Ruben Doctora slipped past the defense of Kaya’s Camelo Tacusalme and slot in a low shot across the goal.
Kaya had two chances to equalize. First was late in the first half, but Eric Giganto sent the ball wide. Another was early in the second half, but a header by Miguel Tanton was palmed away by the defense.
Stallion raised the advantage in the 76th minute as Carlo Polli guided in a cut back by Fitch Arboleda. Kaya nearly scored a consolation goal but Bedic’s hit from inside the box went straight to the hands of Stallion’s goalkeeper.
“We have to take advantage of our home games. We lost our away games to (Kaya) already,” said Stallion head coach Ernest Nierras. “Our remaining matches must have good results for a chance at a second place.”
“Every time we play Stallion we always have a hard-fought second half,” rued Kaya mentor Noel Marcaida. “We will try to bounce back in our next game to solidify our hold of the second spot.”/PN
