Kaya Iloilo draws closer to PFL title with rout of Mendiola

Kaya Iloilo is now four points away from the PFL title. PFL

By Ivan Saldajeno

MAKATI—Kaya Iloilo moved a significant step closer to clinching the PFL championship after romping Mendiola, 6-1, on Sunday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.

Kaya Iloilo broke loose in the second half as Mendiola fizzled after seemingly standing its ground in the first half.

Kaya Iloilo opened the scoring in the 26th minute when Milad Beghandom struck one from close range off crisp passing inside the box.

Save for Nobiraki's attack, Mike Asong did pretty well in protecting Mendiola's goal for the first half.

The breakaway began in the 68th minute when Mar Diano scored also from near the post off Daizo Horikoshi's corner kick for the 2-0 count.

Jhan-Jhan Melliza then made it 3-0 in the 74th minute when he struck also from inside the box.

Some drama ensued in the 80th minute when Eric Giganto scored amid a seemingly loose Mendiola defense to make it 4-0, but Asong lashed out at Kaya Iloilo saying that it should be fair play as Josh Polinag was taken off the pitch momentarily due to cramps.

Eventually, Kaya Iloilo owned up to their mistake and let Junior Sam score an uncontested goal in the 83rd minute to put Mendiola on the board.

Jarvey Gayoso, who came on to substitute for Beghandom, made it 5-1 in the 88th minute, while Giganto completed a brace with the exclamation point in stoppage time.

Kaya Iloilo is now on 49 points, five ahead of Dynamic Herb Cebu at the top spot with two matches left in its schedule.

Kaya only needs to earn at least four points, one win and at least a draw in the other match, in its last two matches against Maharlika Manila on May 20 at the McKinley Hill Stadium in Taguig and on May 27 against Stallion Laguna to clinch the title.

Mendiola, meanwhile, remained on six points after 18 matches.