By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Kaya FC-Iloilo made their championship season sweeter after taking down the Stallion Laguna FC, 3-1, during their final match of the Philippines Football League (PFL) conference.
Although already crowned as the kings of the PFL after the Dynamic Herb Cebu FC failed to score a point against the Stallion Laguna FC several days ago, the Ilonggo booters still put on a show and played the same energy they had when they built their winning streak.
Dynamic Herb Cebu’s scoreless draw outing automatically put Kaya FC as the official no.1 team of the conference and carried a total of 52 points before clashing with Stallion.
With Cebu already out of matches after their game against Stallion, Kaya FC was then hailed as the champion of this PFL conference last May 26, 2023.
Despite riding high on their championship, the Ilonggos still managed to outwork Stallion FC and drew first blood in the 35th-minute courtesy of a Tamon Horikoshi conversion.
Stallion FC was able to provide some scare for Iloilo after Abraham Placito scored an equalizer 13 minutes after the Horikoshi goal.
After Placito’s goal, Kaya FC adjusted quickly with their defensive sets and deployed more help on the left side of the pitch whenever Stallion kicked off their attack.
Jhan Melliza then scored a much-needed goal for Kaya FC 21 minutes after the half-time whistle to help the Ilonggos gain a 2-1 advantage.
With five minutes left remaining in the game, Jarvey Gayoso made the Kaya FC win official after another conversion to double their lead.
Stallion attempted a comeback after executing their offensive sets quicker but Kaya FC tightened up their defensive backline to cap off their season with a championship trophy.
