Kaya FC-Iloilo and Cebu Football Club shares point in crucial title-deciding matchup

Photo credits: Philippines Football League

With this 2022-23 Philippines Football League season going down the wire, the hosts Dynamic Herb Cebu FC and Kaya FC-Iloilo went all out in their final meeting of the season.

Coming into the match, Kaya FC-Iloilo held a two-point lead over the gentle giants while Cebu boasts a 10-game unbeaten streak. The match started with some fireworks with the visitors taking advantage of the early proceedings. Daizo Horikoshi opened the scoring in the seventh minute thanks to an assist by Mar Diano and a relentless effort from Jhan Mellliza to win the ball in Cebu's defensive end.

Despite conceding an early goal, the gentle giants continued the offensive and would soon get their reward. In the 18th minute, Daniel Gadia's unlikely deflection from the free kick found Jacob Liao's boots who slotted in the equalizer.

From then on, it was non-stop action as both sides tried to find the go-ahead goal. Towards the dying moments of the first half, Dylan Nobiraki fired from distance but his effort hit the crossbar producing some sighs of relief from the Cebuano faithful.

Onto the second half of the match, both sides were still inseparable as both Jun Badelic and Zach Banzon were on their best in their most important match of the season. In the 77th minute, Jeremiah Borlongan took a strike from distance only to find the gloves of Banzon.

With eight minutes remaining in the match, Kaya piled on the pressure but Badelic was alert to the possibility. However, a collision with Jovin Bedic almost instigated a scuffle between the Ilonggo captain and Cebu's captain Daniel Gadia.

In the end, both sides shared the points setting up a down-the-wire battle for the title for their remaining matches of the season.