Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 2) – Reigning Copa Paulino Alcantara titlists Kaya-Iloilo survived a furious late game comeback by Stallion Laguna, 3-2, on Monday at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.
Down 0-3 in halftime, the Stallions regrouped in the second half by being more aggressive in attacking the ball rather than their passive game in the first 45 minutes of action.
Abou Sy scored Stallion’s first goal in the 61st minute off a counter-attack as he outhustled the running Kaya defenders on the field.
The match became more interesting in the 70th minute after a wide-open Matthew Nierras made the strike, coming from a Koichi Belgira pass that blindsided the Kaya defense inside the box.
Stallion had a chance to tie the game a minute after the Nierras goal, but Marwin Angeles’ strike went off the mark as he received a fantastic left side cross from Bryan Ybanez.
But Kaya regained its defensive composure until the final whistle to hold on to its fourth victory of the tournament.
Frustrations mounted for Stallion in stoppage time after defender Kameron Bolden was called with a red card for fighting with Kaya players.
The altercation stemmed from the hard foul committed against Stallion’s Brazilian reinforcement Gabriel Silva near the goal box, where the referee did not order a penalty that could have ended the match in a draw.
“In the second half, they adjusted well and we relaxed on our plays. We’re not satisfied with this win,” Kaya forward Jhan Jhan Melliza said in the post-game interview.
Melliza was responsible for Kaya’s first goal in the 10th minute as his free kick went to Carlyle Mitchell, who sliced off a header and gave the lead for the defending champions.
Shirmar Felongco was left open to score the second goal of Kaya in the 18th minute off a counter attack.
Kaya’s third goal came from Melliza as they benefited from another counter attack, with his low kick getting past the hands of Stallion goalkeeper Hayeson Pepito.
Kaya sits on top of the league table with 13 points, while the Stallions are tied with Mendiola at the bottom with two points as they suffered their second loss in four games.
