VISITING Ceres Negros FC drew Kaya FC Iloilo, 1-1, in a hard-fought away match at the Iloilo Sports Complex on Saturday in the ongoing 2018 Philippines Football League.
Both teams opened their first half with numerous goal tries but solid defense from both ended the first 45 minutes scoreless.
The Busmen broke the deadlock with Mike Ott beating Kaya’s keeper Ref Cuaresma off a cross from Patrick Reichelt for a go-ahead goal.
However, the home side pulled an equalizer with Iloilo-native Shirmar Felongco, the “Man of the Match” successfully following up his goal attempt to beat custodian Toni Doblas. Felongco’s try was initially defended but the Busmen backliners were not able to secure the ball well.
The outcome made Kaya FC unbeaten at home with a pair of wins and a draw. “We’ll take this one point. We’re not perfect here anymore, but we’re unbeaten. And that’s the most important thing for me as coach of Kaya FC,” said Iloilo head coach Noel Marcaida.
“I’m very pleased with all the hard work that the players put in this game. I’m really happy,” he said.
Felongco said he’s so happy to be named the “Man of the Match” for the first time. “I got my first goal of the season. We stuck to the game plan that coach laid out. We just played the whole 90 minutes. Nothing is certain in a game,” he added.
Both teams will face each other again on July 7. (HGD/SunStar Bacolod)