Shuto Komaki: Kaya’s Sharpshooter After a career-defining season, the reigning Philippines Football League MVP is ready for another championship charge.
The 2024/25 Philippines Football League season belonged to Shuto Komaki, whose level of play reached new heights en route to the Most Valuable Player award.
Game after game, the Japanese winger cemented his status as one of the league’s premier attacking threats, consistently creating and converting chances to help drive Kaya FC-Iloilo to a historic third-straight championship. With the new season just around the corner, Komaki is fired up and ready to raise the bar even higher.
Amid all the domestic accolades, it was a single moment in the ACL Two that Shuto recalls most vividly from his breakthrough year. “It was scoring a goal in the ACL2, it was one of my dreams. It was definitely the best moment of my football life, I still clearly remember that moment,” he said. That historic strike not only delivered a personal milestone but also marked a proud moment for Kaya on the continental stage.
(Relive Shuto’s scrappy goal against eventual ACL Two quarterfinalists, Sanfrecce Hiroshima.)
Heading into the 2025 season, Komaki bears the full weight of the MVP mantle, seeing it as motivation rather than pressure. “First of all, I’m thankful to receive such a great award, and I appreciate my teammates and the team staff,” he affirmed. “Of course, I think it will be a difficult season, but I’m confident I can play my usual game and help the team. I want to play even better than last season.”
When asked what he focused on during the offseason to get better, Komaki explained that it was a deliberate time for him to recover and recharge. “In the off-season, I distanced myself from football and focused on resting my mind and body. This is my style. I think recovery is very important for good performance,” Shuto shared.
As for his goals this year, Komaki kept it simple—but no less ambitious. “Become the champions in the PFL, advance to the knockout stage in the ACL2,” he said without hesitation.
Komaki also had a message for the fans, whose support continues to drive both him and the club, stating, “Thank you for always supporting us. We prepared well for the start of the season, so please come to the stadium and continue to support us. See you on matchday!”
For Shuto Komaki, last season’s MVP award is already behind him. His focus is forward—bringing the title back to Iloilo and taking Kaya to new heights on the Asian stage.
(Relive Shuto’s championship-clinching goal against Stallion Laguna. #BackOfTheNet)
