Kaya-Iloilo added another milestone in its illustrious history after annexing the 2022 SingaCup Women’s Football Championship hosted by Singapore by securing three wins in as many matches against clubs from Southeast Asia.
Coach Let Dimzon’s wards sealed the gold medal in their third game in emphatic fashion with an 8-0 win over Indonesia’s Persib Bandung Putri.
Philippine Women’s National Football Team pool member Shai Del Campo scored a hattrick as Nica Sy, Dionesia Tolentin, Bhebe Lemoran, Filipinas midfielder Anicka Castaneda, and Maye Mendano scored a goal each.
Beforehand, in their second game of the tournament, Kaya went on to secure a 6-0 win over Thailand’s Pharanakorn FC. Del Campo scored another hattrick in this match as Castaneda, Irish Navaja, and Mae Cadag scored one goal each.
Indeed, the signs were already there in Kaya’s first match that it was the team to beat in the tournament. Against Singapore’s Lion City Sailors, Kaya sealed a 3-1 win courtesy of a Dionesia Tolentin brace and a goal from Mendano.
Dimzon oversaw a team that scored 17 goals and only conceded once in three matches. Del Campo finished the team’s top scorer with six goals on the back of two hattricks.
Kaya’s achievement marked the first foray of a Filipino club into an international ladies’ competition. The team also contained Filipinas veterans Hali Long and Inna Palacios.