Kaya-Iloilo Secures First Ever Philippines Football League Title

Kaya-Iloilo has emerged as the victors in the Philippines Football League (PFL) championship, securing their title after Stallion Laguna prevented Dynamic Herb Cebu’s last-minute bid for the championship with a goalless draw at the Dynamic Herb Sports Complex in Talisay City.

Stallion Laguna’s goalkeeper, Patrick Deyto, delivered an outstanding performance, thwarting Cebu’s attempts to score and ultimately shutting them out of the competition. Despite Cebu’s efforts, their close-range shot missed the mark, shattering their hopes of claiming the title. In a late-game play, Cebu managed to find the back of the net, only to have the goal disallowed due to an offside ruling by the officiating crew. This decision led to Cebu’s head coach, Memhet Kakil, confronting the head referee and subsequently being ejected from the game.

Stallion Laguna’s team also faced setbacks, as they received red cards, leaving them with only nine players on the field. Ultimately, Cebu failed to capitalize on these opportunities and finished the match with only 10 players, ending the season with a 21-game unbeaten streak but falling short by one point with a total of 51 points.

Kaya-Iloilo, on the other hand, secured their championship title with a Saturday night match against Stallion Laguna at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. The outcome of this game, coupled with Cebu’s performance, solidified Kaya-Iloilo’s position as the league champions.

With the victory, Kaya-Iloilo has become the second team to claim the PFL title, following the Ceres-Negros/United Clark franchise’s four-season reign. Notably, Kaya-Iloilo has now accumulated four top-division titles, extending their success from the United Football League era.

This triumph marks a significant milestone for Kaya-Iloilo, solidifying their standing as a competitive force in the Philippine football scene. As they bask in the glory of their hard-earned victory, Kaya-Iloilo’s achievement serves as a testament to their dedication and prowess on the field.

Source:
Philippine News Agency (PNA)