Biñan, Laguna — Kaya FC-Iloilo win their third straight game in a row, going on the road and securing a 3-0 victory over Stallion Laguna FC. 

Jarvey Gayoso solidified Iloilo’s strong start in just the 4th minute of action. The forward was on the receiving end of Daizo Horikoshi’s inswinging free kick from the left flank. After cutting across his defender towards the near post, Gayoso jumped into the air and cooly flicked the ball in for the opener. (0-1)

Mar Diano doubled the lead in the 13th minute on a scrappy rebound. Jhan Melliza’s corner was cleared outside the Laguna penalty area and straight to Eric Giganto, whose volley attempt was diverted. The ball fell to the unmarked and onside Diano for a left-footed strike that powered past two deflections into the back of the net. (0-2)

Unlike the previous two matches, possession was evenly split between the two sides. Kaya’s defensive discipline was key in this match, but it did not stop them from looking to build on their early success. Iloilo nearly doubled their opponent’s shot attempts—seventeen to Laguna’s nine—and added the cherry on top in the 92nd minute. 

Late in the game, Stallion shifted to a back three and sent more men forward in search of attacking joy. This opened them up to counters however, and Fitch Arboleda capitalized on all the space left to him up the right flank. 

Drifting into the penalty box, he squared the ball to Jovin Bedic who cleverly let the pass through to the trailing Arnel Amita. Beyond the reach Laguna’s retreating backline, #10 launched his first-time shot into the upper right corner to seal the deal. (0-3)

With another quality win on the road under their belt, Kaya FC-Iloilo continue to pull away at the top of the PFL standings. The team returns to the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Saturday, looking to close out Round 3 strong against the Azkals Development Team. 

Starting Lineup:

CF: Gayoso

LMF: Horikoshi, CMF: Behgandom, CMF: Melliza, RMF: Giganto

DMF: Nobiraki

LB: Casambre, CB: Rota, CB: Menzi, RB: Diano

GK: Banzon

Coach Yu Hoshide used three of five available substitutions today: 

• Fitch Arboleda checked in for Eric Giganto in the 65th minute.
• Simone Rota made his return from suspension, coming in for Fitch Arboleda in the 70th. 
• Jovin Bedic made his appearance late in the game, checking in for Jarvey Gayoso in the 82nd minute.