Kaya FC-Iloilo has finally won its maiden Philippines Football League title after its closest pursuer Dynamic Herb Cebu FC was held to a scoreless draw at home against Stallion FC-Laguna on Wednesday, May 24 at DH Borromeo Sports Complex in Talisay City.
*Kaya FC-Iloilo (PFL Photo)
* The strings of futility that saw the Iloilo team suffer heartbreaks including several bridesmaid finishes in the past six years has finally been broken as Kaya kept its lead in the standings with still one game to spare on Saturday against Stallion. Kaya wrested its very first PFL title after keeping the pole position with 52 points, just one point ahead against Cebu which ended the season with a total of 51 points. Cebu actually had the chance of keeping itself in the position to contest the title after cutting Kaya’s lead in points down to just two after being awarded with a full three points following the forfeiture of its match against Azkals Development Team. A victory could have allowed Cebu to leapfrog over Kaya in the standings and put pressure on the Iloilo team heading to its final assignment but was ultimately denied by Stallion goal keeper Patrick Deyto. Cebu actually had several shots at a goal but Deyto managed to respond and dashed all of the home team's title hopes with the clean sheet. For Kaya’s part though, it put itself in the position for the title after a crucial 5-1 victory over Maharlika FC last Sunday, May 21 for its 17th win in the season against just three losses and a draw.