Kaya-Iloilo has finally won its first league title in its 27-year existence.
The LBC-backed club secured the 2022–2023 Philippines Football League crown by virtue of Dynamic Herb Cebu’s 0-0 stalemate against Stallion Laguna on Wednesday at the Dynamic Herb Sports Complex in Talisay, Cebu.
Yu Hoshide’s men benefited from goalkeeper Patrick Deyto’s stellar performance as the De La Salle University alumnus made save after save to deny the home side, which was playing its final match of the season.
Cebu’s draw with Stallion meant that they could no longer catch up with Kaya in the league standings. Kaya sealed the league title with one game to spare, finishing with 52 points from 17 wins, one draw, and just three defeats.
On the other hand, Cebu finished their campaign in second place with 51 points, thanks to 15 wins, six draws, and one loss. Stallion will also finish in third place with two matches to spare, earning 32 points from 10 wins, two draws, and eight losses.
This league title has been a long time coming for Kaya. The club has experienced runner-up finishes to Philippine Air Force and Global in the 2010 and 2012 seasons of the defunct United Football League, as well as to Ceres-Negros and United City from 2018 to 2020 in the PFL.
Before finally achieving success this year, Kaya won the Copa Paulino Alcantara in 2018 and 2021, and the UFL Cup in 2015. The club also participated in the 2016, 2019, 2020, and 2022 editions of the AFC Cup, as well as the group stage of the AFC Champions League in 2021 and the preliminary round in 2022.
As PFL champions, Kaya was also awarded a ticket to the group stage of the 2023–2024 AFC Champions League.
