Kaya-Iloilo is the PFF Women’s League champion after the culmination of the league last Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Football Pitch.
The Iloilo-based squad swept the field, tallying 21 points to claim the championship. Far Eastern University finished second with 12 points, followed by De La Salle University in third with seven points and the University of the Philippines in fourth with one point.
Before collecting their trophy, Kaya-Iloilo faced FEU in the final round and handed the Morayta-based squad a 2-0 defeat, highlighted by a brace from Alex Carpio in the 40th and 87th minutes.
“Despite our wins in the past, we knew that this was a new game. Alam namin na yung FEU will come out strong,” said Carpio, who was eventually named the Most Valuable Player.
“Overall, sobrang grateful namin lahat. Gusto namin magpasalamat sa FEU, La Salle, and UP sa competition na binigay sa amin week after week,” she added, promising that they will do their best to represent the Philippines in the AFC Women’s Champions League.
Kaya-Iloilo not only successfully defended their title but also won the last three editions of the PFFWL, tying De La Salle University for the most titles in league history.
FEU, for its part, found itself in unfamiliar territory after being accustomed to dominating the collegiate scene. The Lady Tamaraws now look to fine-tune their style and ensure they remain at the top of their game after finishing as first runners-up in the domestic women’s league.
“We all know naman po na malakas talaga [ang Kaya-Iloilo] and they have a lot of experience. Para sa amin, magandang experience na nakalaro namin sila at madami pa rin kaming i-work sa team lalo na palapit na ang UAAP season,” said Sarahgen Tulabing, who was named Best Midfielder.
Other individual awards went to Dionesa Tolentin, who took home the Golden Boot with eight goals, while fellow Kaya-Iloilo teammate Saki Yoshida was named Best Defender. FEU’s Jessa Lehayan was declared Best Goalkeeper.
In their final-round match, DLSU salvaged a 1-1 draw with UP. Patricia Espinosa gave the Lady Spikers the lead in the fourth minute, before Chenny Dañoso found the equalizer in the 44th minute.
DLSU still found themselves on the podium with a bronze finish, but for Dañoso, it was not the result they wanted.
“Alam namin na madami talaga kaming i-improve from first game up until now. Alam namin na madami kaming kulang. Thankful pa rin kami na sumali kami dito dahil nalaman namin ang need i-work on as a team,” said the DLSU captain, who now looks ahead to the UAAP.
Despite finishing last, UP found value in the experience it gained during the league, particularly for its newcomers.
“Yung goal talaga namin for this league is to give composure dun sa mga bago naming papasok. Young team pa rin kami, but at the same time, tinulungan namin yung mga older players na mag-step up na din sila para tulungan yung mga papasok. Yung focus talaga namin ay mag-bounce back,” said UP captain Kylle Moreno.
