CARMONA, CAVITE — Everything may have been moot and academic, but Kaya-Iloilo fought with pride to defeat newly-crowned champions United City, 2-1, in the 2020 PFL Season sponsored by Qatar Airways at the PFF National Training Center.
The outcome allows Yu Hoshide’s men to leapfrog the Azkals Development Team to 2nd place in the league standings. Kaya finished with 11 points, while the latter ended the season with 9.
On the other hand, United City finished the campaign with 12 points after suffering their first loss.
Against a United City side with the likes of Bienvenido Maranon, Robert Lopez Mendy, and Manuel Ott on the bench, Kaya raced to a two-goal lead in the first half. Kenshiro Daniels found the back of the net in the 15th minute when he turned in Eric Ben Giganto’s cross.
Daniels then turned provider, seeing his corner kick headed by Carlyle Mitchelle into a goal in the 38th minute.
Coach Frank Muescan brought on the likes of Takashi Odawara, Maranon, Lopez Mendy, Hikaru Minegishi to chase the game for the league winners. United City sought to get a goal back, but Kaya defended resolutely.
Maranon had a sniff at goal but his attempt went well wide of Louie Casas’ goal. However, the complexion of the game changed in the 83rd minute. Manny Ott latched onto a pass from Maranon, and he shot past Casas to pull one back.
United City scrambled to find that last-minute equalizer, but Kaya managed to hold on for the win.
United City XI: Badelic (GK), Bugas, Ott, Robles, Clarino, Schrock ©, Villanueva, Aristorenas, Pasinabo, Jarvis, Marasigan.
Kaya XI: Casas (GK), Soriano, Bedic (C), Angeles, Giganto, Daniels, Casambre, Horikoshi, Rota, De Bruycker.
