CARMONA--Kaya Iloilo drew first blood in the Copa Paulino Alcantara after taking down Maharlika Manila, 1-0, in the opening match on Monday night at the PFF National Training Centre here.
However, the outcome was not reflective of how Kaya Iloilo began its title defense as the reigning PFL-organized cup champion stomped its class on the Maharlika Manila club that now has Kim Chul-Su at the helm.
The lone goal of the match came from Japanese reinforcement Daizo Horikoshi in the 46th minute as he got the ball off a wild sequence inside the penalty area and slotted it past Henri Bandeken Fong.
The match could have been a blowout, but Robert Mendy and Audie Menzi had their shots only kissing the goalpost instead of going in.
Kaya Iloilo will take a two-week break before battling United Clark on March 28.
Maharlika Manila, on the other hand, will play twice next week against debuting Mendiola on March 21 and United Clark on March 24.
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