Manila, Philippines — After finding themselves trailing early, Kaya FC-Iloilo stormed back to defeat the Azkals Development Team three goals to one. 

Iloilo once again hit the ground running from the opening whistle, earning the first corner of the match in under a minute. However, such an aggressive approach comes with risks—and the young Azkals were keen to attack those momentary gaps. 

With the backline shifted to the right side of the field, ADT’s Oliver Bias switched play down the left flank to Pocholo Bugas. The speedy winger squared the ball towards Andres Aldeguer before Kaya were able to fully rotate back, and the young striker just barely beat Simone Rota to the punch—his first-time strike putting the young Azkals ahead early. (1-0)

On the back foot for the first time in three games, Iloilo responded by laying on the pressure. Black shirts flooded the ADT final third, stacking up chances and earning several set pieces. The tidal wave eventually broke through in the 29th minute. 

Daizo Horikoshi picked out Audie Menzi in the crowd on his corner kick, who was skying over two ADT defenders. The Benquet-born baller muscled his way up to the ball and knocked it across and in at the left post, drawing the game level. (1-1)

Halftime came and adjustments were made, but few strategies hold up in the face of pure, unrelenting speed. After dropping back on defense and winning the ball back, Horikoshi lobbed it ahead to Jarvey Gayoso just past midfield. 

Though he was surrounded by white jerseys, the striker had an open runway to kick into top gear—blowing past them down the field before firing the ball past Quincy Kammeraad’s outstretched gloves. His shot flew just under the crossbar and seized the lead back for Kaya in the 47th minute. (1-2)

Though the possession stats eventually evened out from that point, Iloilo remained in control for most of the match. It was the defense’s turn to step up, and them being able to withstand all their opponent’s comeback efforts opened the door for another development in additional time. 

With ADT pushed up into Kaya’s half in the match’s dying minutes, Daizo sprung yet another counter with a long ball forward for Arnel Amita. It bounced and fell just outside the penalty box, right between Nano and Quincy who rushed off his line. The midfielder won the race and faked out the remaining defender; before sliding the dagger into a wide open goal in the 94th minute. (1-3)

With today’s result, Kaya conclude Round 3 of the PFL season with four wins and one loss—as well as a commanding lead in the standings. Also, the three goals scored this afternoon marks Iloilo’s 52nd goal so far this season. 

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 four of five available substitutions: 

• Fitch Arboleda checked in for Eric Giganto in the 56th minute.
• Arnel Amita relieved Milad Behgandom in the 70th minute.  
• Jovin Bedic and Marwin Angeles entered the game in the 86th minute, coming in for Jarvey Gayoso and Jhan Melliza.

Dylan Nobiraki picked up a yellow card following a hard tackle in the 93rd minute.