Three leagues played simultaneously in the second weekend of August headlined by the first post-pandemic derby between Kaya FC and the reconstituted Loyola FC, resulting in a rout by the Iloilo based squad, 7-0, on their debut in the PFL Copa Paulino Alcantara on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Midfielders Fitch Arboleda and Justin Baas scored braces to lead Kaya while Ricky Sendra, Abou Sy, and Mark Swainston joined the rampage with their respective goals.
The rout was Kaya’s second win in six head-to-head matches against Loyola, a club that has been revived just this year after a five-year dormancy.
In Saturday’s nightcap, Marvin Angeles sank the tying header in the 90+4th minute off a looping right cross from Dimitri Limbo to salvage a point for the Davao Aguilas, 3-3, against Mendiola FC.
Yannick Tuason now leads the tournament with five goals after scoring a brace for the Aguilas while Nicolai Abalos, Kirk Rozal, and Elljhone Rasonable scored for the debuting Mendiola.
In Sunday’s doubleheader, Griffin McDaniel scored a hattrick in the debuting Stallion Laguna’s 6-1 thrashing of the Philippine Army while in the second game, Martini Rey and and Selwyn Mamon braced for the Far Eastern University (FEU) as they dumped winless Don Bosco Garelli, 4-0.
CF Manila, the University of the Philippines (UP), and the Aguilas still lead their respective groups.
On the distaff side, De La Salle University dealt Filipinas’ star goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel a rude welcome as the Lady Archers blanked Stallion Laguna, 4-0, Saturday in the 2023 PFF Women’s League at Carmona, Cavite.
Former Filipinas forward Shai Del Campo showed international form with a brace while reigning UAAP Rookie of the Year Angelica Teves and feisty midfielder Mari Layacan pierced McDaniel’s defense.
Before that, the FEU Lady Tamaraws walloped Azzurri FC, 5-0, and on Sunday’s doubleheader, Kaya FC notched their fourth win with a 4-0 victory of Tuloy FC while Manila Nomads drew the University of Santo Tomas, 1-1, thanks to a late equalizer by Nomad forward Stacey Arthur.
Also on Sunday at the UP Football Stadium, the Philippines’ collegiate pre-season tournament Ang Liga opened its 19th season with the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde blasting the University of Batangas, 3-0.
Benildean forward Clyde Vitualla introduced himself on the national football stage, leading the Blazers with a hat-trick off running strikes.
In the second game, the UP Fighting Maroons fought tooth-and-nail against the defense of Mapua Malayan Colleges and was saved by Fonso Regino for a 1-0 opener against the Cabuyao based school.
Regino saw an opening from 16 yards top right, finally piercing the gloves of the Mapuan goalkeeper in the final minute of regular time.
“We kept pushing even though it felt like we couldn’t let our passes through,” Regino said after the match.
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