MANILA – Kaya Futbol Club-Iloilo capped their 2022-2023 Philippines Football League championship run with a 3-1 victory over Stallion-Laguna Football Club on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
Tamon Horikoshi, Ilonggo Jan Jesus Melliza and Jarvey Gayoso scored a goal each as the Iloilo City-based booters ended their season on top with 55 points, on 18 wins, one draw and three losses.
After misses to start the game, Kaya-Iloilo drew first blood at the 34th minute with Daizo Horikoshi finding Tamon, who dived on the ball for a header past the defense of Stallion-Laguna’s keeper Patrick Deyto.
Stallion-Laguna, however, managed to equalize the score at the 57th minute with Abraham Placito converting on a header from a header past the defense of Kaya-Iloilo’s Zach Banzon.
Melliza had a chance to regain the lead for Kaya-Iloilo at the 61st minute but his attempt inside the box was wide before responding with an uncontested goal three minutes later to give the Ilonggos a 2-1 edge.
Stallion-Laguna had opportunities to tie the score but could not score past Banzon before Kaya-Iloilo wrapped up the victory with Gayoso connecting from a fine pass by Milad Behgandom at the 83rd minute.
Kaya-Iloilo head coach Yu Hoshide said he was delighted to become part of the football club’s history in the 2022-2023 PFL season as they finally took home a League championship.
“I’m feeling good and I’m really glad that I was able to help make history for Kaya FC-Iloilo,” Hoshide said. “Also, I think it’s all thanks to everyone involved with Kaya doing their jobs.”
“Stallion-Laguna showed a very solid defense, especially their goalkeeper, but our attackers are also in very good shape this season,” added the former Kaya-Iloilo Japanese booter.
The League championship also served as a bounce back from the Iloilo City-based booters after losing the Copa Paulino Alcantara title last year when they were defeated by United City Football Club./PN
