By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Kaya FC-Iloilo is back as the no. 1 team in the ongoing season of the Philippines Football League (PFL) after escaping the Azkals Development Team (ADT), 3-2, last April 15, 2023, held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Before taking on the youngsters of the ADT, the Ilonggo booters are seeking a much-needed win to reclaim their top spot from Dynamic Herb Cebu-FC.
Everything went according to the ultimate game plan as Iloilo was able to replicate its win over the Development Team despite another rugged matchup.
Jarvey Gayoso drew first blood for Kaya FC after finding the back of the net at the 18th-minute mark of the first half.
However, the Ilonggo defenders suffered a defensive miscue three minutes after Gayoso’s conversion when ADT’s Andres Aldeguer managed to tie things up at 1-1.
Both squads then went head-to-head with their defensive counter adjustments that left the remaining 25 minutes of the first half without a goal made.
Needing someone to carry the scoring load for Kaya FC, Daizo Horikoshi once again answered the call and tallied a brace when he fired two scores for Iloilo.
Horikoshi first broke the deadlock moments after the second-half whistle was blown and completed his brace in the 55th minute which gave Kaya FC a comfortable 3-1 lead.
ADT attempted to storm back as they did during their last matchup after Cholo Bugas fired a goal in the 69th minute but Kaya FC’s patient defensive schemes were enough to clinch their 15th win of the season.
The win boosted Kaya FC’s total garnered points to 45 while Visayan rival team Dyanic Herb Cebu is only trailing by a deuce and is the league’s no. 2 overall squad.
