CARMONA, CAVITE — Straight from their upset loss at the hands of Maharlika Manila, Stallion Laguna made amends, fighting back to earn a 1-1 draw against archrival Kaya-Iloilo in the 2020 season PFL sponsored by Qatar Airways, Tuesday at the PFF National Training Center.
Jhan Melliza turned in Ricky Sendra’s pass with a cool finish in the 79th minute, earning Stallion its first point in the league table. It was the least that the Laguna-based club deserved after their efforts to overturn a one-goal deficit in the second half.
“Malaking impact po ito para sa team kasi nangyari nga, natalo kami sa Maharlika,” said the former Far Eastern University star. “Binigay lang namin ‘yung best namin kasi kailangan talaga namin mag-draw or win eh. Kasi kung matatalo kami, hindi na kami makakaabot sa (mataas na posisyon).”
Stallion emerged reinvigorated after the break and took the game to Kaya.
Melliza and Ibrahim N’dour had their chances early in the period, but both failed to find the back of the net. N’dour then had an attempt that hit the post. Fitch Arboleda later missed an open goal thanks to a bad touch.
Meliza’s equalizer then cancelled Kaya’s quick lead in the contest, scored by star striker Jovin Bedic.
Kenshiro Daniels unleashed a low cross from the left flank. The 30-year-old tapped the ball home to give his side a one-goal cushion after just nine minutes of play.
“We are lucky we did not lose this game,” admitted coach Yu Hoshide.
Kaya (7 points) takes on Mendiola at 9:00 AM. Then later, Stallion (1 point) goes up against United City Football Club at 8:00 PM on Friday.
Stallion XI: Pepito, Alquiros, Arboleda, Belgira, Doctora, McDaniel, Meliza, N’dour, Nierras, Regala, Villareal.
Kaya XI: Casas, Felongco, Rota, Menzi, Clarín, Angeles, Amita, Horikoshi, De Bruycker, Daniels, Bedic.
