Kaya Iloilo upends Davao, closes in on Ceres-Negros

Striker Joven Bedic headed home the winner as Kaya Iloilo subdued Davao Aguilas, 2-1, on Saturday to move within three points off leader Ceres-Negros in the Philippines Football League (PFL) at Iloilo Sports Complex.

Bedic, who grew up in the country’s football hotbed, Barotac Nuevo, scored on a glancing header with 13 minutes remaining as Kaya returned to its winning ways after a shock defeat to Global two weeks ago.

Former national team player Kenshiro Daniels, returning from a long injury layoff, struck the opener for Kaya in the 53rd minute only for James Younghusband to equalize 21 minutes later.

But Kaya, despite missing top scorer Robert Mendy and Alfred Osei to suspension, dug deep to beat the Aguilas for the second time in three weeks to the delight of the home crowd.

“It was a long 90 minutes,” said Iloilo head coach Noel Marcaida.

“The discipline of the players, and the hard work brought us this victory. And this victory is sweeter than the last time we beat Davao here. This is the type of game where players deserve to celebrate.”

With Ceres held to a 1-1 draw by a scrappy JPV Marikina side at Biñan Stadium in Laguna, Kaya cut the Busmen’s lead to just three points after increasing its tally to 22 points.

The draw allowed JPV to climb to fourth spot with 10 points, a point ahead of Stallion Laguna. —CEDELF P. TUPAS