The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) congratulates its member Kaya Football Club-Iloilo for winning its second Philippines Football League (PFL) title and, along with league runner-up Dynamic Herb Cebu, for qualifying to the Asian Football Confederation Champions League Two (ACL 2).
“Congratulations to Kaya for clinching its second straight PFL crown, and to Cebu as well. These two teams will banner our flag in the upcoming ACL 2 and we are proud to be represented by them in the international stage,” said PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez.
The Mighty Lions nipped the Davao-UMak Aguilas, 1-0, in their penultimate game on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, to top the 15-team table with 37 points while the Gentle Giants are the runners-up with 33 points.
National men’s team striker Jarvey Gayoso scored the championship point in the 18th minute via a penalty kick after absorbing a foul from Reynald Villareal from inside the box.
Gayoso, a scorer of two international goals, is in prime position to be the first Filipino to win the PFL Golden Boot with 24 goals, five more than One Taguig’s Tsukasa Shimomura of Japan, with one game remaining for each of said teams.
“I was nervous. It was a deciding penalty kick and all my teammates were telling me that they trust me to take it so I took that trust and trusted myself. I was blessed to be able to score,” Gayoso, who is set to have his international club debut with Phnom Penh Crown, said.
“I’m glad that I chose Kaya and I’m glad that they’ve taken me in and help me in my career,” the former UAAP Most Valuable Player from Ateneo added.
Gutierrez commended Gayoso for his breakthrough season and for his upcoming stint abroad.
“Gayoso is the face of Philippine grassroots football. PFF thanks the Men’s National Team, Kaya, Ateneo, and his parents and family for helping Jarvey in his football career. The entire Philippine football community is behind him in his continuing journey and we wish him the best in his new chapter in Cambodia,” Gutierrez said.
While the Aguilas had late tries to salvage their championship contention, Kaya goalkeeper Walid Birrou saved crucial Davao shots into the 80th minute to seal the title.
Birrou had the stop of his life by saving the penalty kick of Ibrahima N’Dour in the 81st minute, which resulted from a Mar Diano foul on an attacking Uriel Dalapo, while the Spanish veteran saved a Daisuke Sato free kick in the 90th minute.
“We also thank all the participating clubs for providing a platform for the development of Filipino players, as well as inviting quality foreign players that will help in upping the quality of our domestic talents,” Gutierrez concludes.
