#PFL2022 Matchday 3: Kaya, ADT score dominating wins; resolute Cebu holds UCFC to draw

Title favorites Kaya FC-Iloilo have successfully seized the top spot in the league table as the Philippines Football League (PFL) presented by Qatar Airways resumed action with their third matchday last night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Azkals Development Team 4-0 Maharlika Manila FC

Registering their first win in league play are the Azkals Development Team (ADT) who demolished Maharlika Manila FC in the opening match.

Coming off a slim loss to Kaya in their opening assignment, ADT used their bye week to their advantage and returned with an improved performance.

Andres Aldeguer announced his return to the lineup by scoring the opener in the 21st minute, pouncing first on a errant clearance by Maharlika defender Lawrence Baguio.

ADT kept up the intensity by dominating the possession numbers while Maharlika had their offense operating through lone forward OJ Clarino which proved ineffective all match long.

The floodgates opened for the young Azkals in the second half, scoring three goals in a span of 20 minutes.

Halftime substitute Dominic Tom converts off an unlucky ricochet from a free-kick in the 50th minute. Captain Stephan Schrock followed it up after five minutes, capitalizing on a mishap by the Maharlika defense. Long-time UAAP juniors star Chester Pabualan eventually made his presence felt by scoring ADT’s fourth goal off a direct free-kick in the 69th minute.

Kaya FC-Iloilo 6-1 Mendiola FC 1991

After conceding a shock first-half goal, the Ilonggo side showed resilience to come back and register a dominating win over Mendiola FC 1991.

Kaya controlled the opening stages of the match, but a very alert Mendiola defense led by goalkeeper Henri Bandeken was able to keep their attacks at bay. Eventually, it was the Brave Men who opened the scoring as veteran forward Aaron Altiche got to the end of an Ashley Flores cross in the 22nd minute.

Despite the setback, Kaya recovered soon enough and got two goals to wrest back the lead before halftime through Jovin Bedic’s diving header in the 40th minute, followed by Eric Giganto’s close-range strike in first-half stoppage time.

Coming out of the dugout, Kaya continued their relentless approach and was rewarded with a second-half goal barrage. Jarvey Gayoso scored Kaya’s third goal in the 56th minute after Bandeken spilled a long-range attempt from Shirmar Felongco.

The Ilonggos added more goals in the match’s homestretch as Bedic got his second goal at 75 minutes, while Japanese winger Daizo Horikoshi went for a spectacular solo effort for Kaya’s fifth goal at 89 minutes. Substitute Jhan Melliza joined in the goalscoring party three minutes later to cap off a big win for the Iloilo side.

United City FC 1-1 Dynamic Herb Cebu FC

Fellow title contenders United City FC were unable to keep up with Kaya as they were held by Dynamic Herb Cebu FC to a 1-1 draw in a hotly-contested affair to round off Matchday 3 action.

Coming off a loss to the Ilonggo squad in their league opener last weekend, Cebu went on to start the match as the more threatening side, with numerous attempts from the attacking trio of Arda Cinkir, Chima Uzoka, and Mert Altinoz all going just inches wide.

Eventually UCFC's influence grew into the match as they started to pepper Cebu with numerous chances, spearheaded by forward Kenshiro Daniels. However, equal to the task was Cebu goalkeeper Ace Villanueva who kept the Gentle Giants in the match, making save after save.

The match started to open up in the second half as both sides looked for the breakthrough.

UCFC eventually got the opener in the 71st minute as Mark Hartmann scored a towering header from a inswinging free kick, but Cebu was able to rescue a vital point thanks to halftime substitute JB Borlongan, who converted a crucial free kick attempt with two minutes left in normal time.