Kaya-Iloilo ends PFL championship season with 3-1 triumph vs. Stallion

 

By Drew Malihan

MANILA - Kaya FC-Iloilo ended their Philippines Football League title-clinching season on a high as they delivered a 3-1 masterclass over third-placers Stallion Laguna FC inside the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

Tamon Horikoshi, Janjan Melliza, and Javi Gayoso delivered the goods for the Iloilo side as they dominated the game from the get-go, against a Stallion side who aided them to clinch the victory last Wednesday against Cebu FC.

The younger Horikoshi opened Kaya's account in the 35th minute header off a play from his older brother Daizo that went past Stallion keeper Patrick Deyto, which also opened his PFL account.

Kaya maintained the lead until a set piece from a corner finds the defender Placito who quickly puts it past Zach Banzon to equalize the match for the Biñan-based squad early in the second half.

However this was the last for the Stallions as former Laguna player Janjan Melliza scored for Iloilo in the 65th minute, much to the delight of the fans in attendance.

Substitute forward Jarvey Gayoso puts the finishing touches for the eventual champions as he puts one back in the 85th minute past Placito and Deyto, off from an assist from Iranian forward Milad Behgandom.

It was Kaya's 20th win of the season along with 61 total season points, finishing four points ahead of second place DH Cebu, while Stallion slumps to 12-2-9, with their last game against Maharlika Manila to conclude their season.

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