Kaya sets up PFF Women’s League title match with Manila Digger

PFF PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Kaya-Iloilo earned the right to face Manila Digger for the championship of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Women’s League after rallying past La Salle, 2-1, in their semifinal match held Saturday at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Hazel Lustan’s penalty in the 65th minute spelled the difference as Kaya, the top team at the end of the single-round eliminations, overcame being a goal down at the break to punch its ticket to the one-game title showdown.

The final is set on Nov. 8 at the same venue, with La Salle and Far Eastern University, the other losing semifinalist, battling it out for third place.

Manila Digger secured the first seat in the final after its 4-3 win over FEU last week through a penalty shootout that came after a scoreless tie after 120 minutes.

PFF PHOTO

La Salle, which won all of the previous three league editions before a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, took the lead 19th minutes into the contest when Teves scored off a mistake by Kaya’s Hali Long, whose clearance was blocked by Filipinas teammate Alisha del Campo.

It took until four minutes into the restart for Kaya to equalize as Camille Rodriguez dribbled her way into the box before passing it to Shelah Cadag for a right-footed shot in the 49th.

Kaya got its chance to take the lead when Rodriguez, who was battling for possession with two La Salle players, was fouled inside the box, prompting the official to point at the spot.

Lustan calmly fired an attempt to the bottom corner off La Salle goalkeeper Jessica Marie Pido and Kaya moved in front with less than a half-hour to