MANILA – Kaya Iloilo will be staking its unblemished slate at home. It plays host to rival Ceres Negros in the 2018 Philippines Football League this afternoon at the Iloilo Sports Complex in La Paz, Iloilo City.
Kaya Iloilo head coach Noel Marcaida hopes to extend their five-game winning streak at ISC in their 4 p.m. encounter with the defending champions Ceres Negros.
“Regardless of the opponent, we just want to play good football if we are playing at home,” Marcaida said. “We just hope to protect our home field once again against Ceres Negros.”
He added: “Actually, the players are already comfortable playing here, the atmosphere is different, the Ilonggos are different, they really know how to appreciate the game.”
Aside from its unbeaten run at home, Kaya Iloilo is on a roll recently, including a 4-2 decision over Stallion Laguna on Wednesday where Barotac Nuevo native Jovin Bedic scored a hat trick.
“Yung suporta ng Ilonggos ibang klase talaga dito. Kaya kapag dito ang game, extra energy sa aming lahat na makapaglaro ng mabuti at manalo. Kaya every game, sinasabi ko sa kanila (teammates), let’s defend our home pitch,” said Bedic.
In their first three matches, Ceres Negros drew first blood with a 2-1 win on April 4 in Bacolod City.
Kaya Iloilo responded in second encounter with a 2-0 victory on May 12 in Panaad.
The third match ended in 1-1 draw on June 9 in ISC.
Ceres Negros will be entering the match at first place in the standings with a 13-2-2 win-loss-draw slate for 41 points, while Kaya Iloilo is at distant second with 32 points on 10-4-2 card./PN
