Kaya FC-Iloilo Dominates Loyola FC in PFL Copa Paulino Alcantara Return

The Philippines Football League clubs marked their return with a bang as Kaya FC-Iloilo trounced Loyola FC 7-0 in the Copa Paulino Alcantara triple header at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. Kaya’s victory was a long-awaited moment as they dominated their old rivals in a rematch after six years. Loyola, on the other hand, made a valiant comeback to the competition after their last appearance in 2017.

Kaya’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, with Justin Baas and Fitch Arboleda leading the charge with two goals each. The PFL champions displayed their dominance from the start, with new signing Ricardo Sendra opening the floodgates with a header in the 11th minute. Arboleda and Baas continued the onslaught, with Horikoshi playing a crucial role in the play that led to the goals.

The second half saw Kaya maintain their momentum, with Baas and debutants Abou Sy and Mark Swainston getting on the scoresheet to seal a resounding 7-0 victory. The result was a testament to Kaya’s strength and determination as they set their sights on the continental competition.

In another Group B clash, Maharlika Manila FC and Manila Digger FC battled to a 1-1 draw in a hard-fought contest. Jhon Azares opened the scoring for Manila Digger in the 39th minute, only to be equalized by Ibrahima Ndour’s strike in the 62nd minute. The match ended in a stalemate, with both teams collecting their first points of the competition.

Meanwhile, Group C action witnessed a thrilling 3-3 draw between Davao Aguilas-UMak FC and Mendiola FC 1991. Tensions ran high as both teams finished the match with ten men each after a heated contest. Despite Mendiola FC’s multiple leads in the match, Marvin Angeles’ late equalizer, along with Yannick Tuason’s brace, denied them a debut win. The match also saw red cards for Nicolas Ferrer and Yuan Reña after a fiery altercation.

With the dust settled, Davao Aguilas maintained their lead in Group C with 10 points, while Mendiola FC lagged behind in fifth place with only one point on the board. The competition continues to heat up as teams battle it out for supremacy in the Copa Paulino Alcantara.

Author
Recent Posts

Meghnad Iyer

Meghnad Iyer, our Indian football enthusiast, is the voice behind the vibrant narratives covering the Indian Super League (ISL). Born and raised in the football-crazed nation of India, Meghnad's articles are a celebration of the excitement and fervor that define Indian football.