MANILA – Kaya Futbol Club-Iloilo overcame a tough challenge from Stallion-Laguna Football Club for a 3-2 victory in the 2024 Philippines Football League on Sunday night at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
Ilonggo Jhan Jesus Melliza, Audie Menzi, and Jarvey Gayoso converted a goal each as the defending champions Kaya-Iloilo stayed on top with 34 points, on 11 victories and a draw.
After struggling with their shots early against the physical defense of Stallion-Laguna, Kaya-Iloilo broke the deadlock late in the first half following a left-foot conversion from Melliza.
The Iloilo City-based football club doubled the advantage early in the second half as team captain Menzi converted a header from a timely cross by Melliza in the 58th minute.
Stallion-Laguna, however, managed to cut the deficit to 1-2 as Franciso Gomez broke away from Kaya-Iloilo defenders to knock down a close-range conversion in the 70th minute.
Gayoso then restored Kaya-Iloilo’s two-goal advantage at 3-1 as he knocked down a tough turnaround strike from a corner kick by Shuto Komaki in the 88th minute of the contest.
Stallion-Laguna then made its last push in the 90+4 minute as American import Abraham Placito converted a header past the defense of Kaya-Iloilo goal keeper Walid Birrou.
With the defeat, Stallion-Laguna stayed in third place in the standings with 29 points, on nine victories, two draws, and two defeats as they saw their PFL championship aspirations slowly fade.
Kaya-Iloilo still has two games remaining in their schedule against Davao Aguilas Football Club on July 7 and Loyola Meralco Sparks Football Club on July 13./PN
