Kaya-Iloilo and Stallion FC scored big wins at the start of the 2025 PFF Women’s League over the weekend.
The bigger winner, however, was women’s football.
“I think that what we’re doing here, it means a lot to generations that follow as well,” Julissa Cisneros, the Kaya striker, said after producing a hat-trick in her club’s 8-0 rout of University of Santo Tomas at Mall of Aisa Football Pitch over the weekend.
The doubleheader that kicked off this year’s edition of the tournament received renewed interest from fans who trooped to the unique mall-top venue.
“I think playing out here as well, this atmosphere is wonderful,” Cisneros, a Mexican, said. “People love to come and watch.”
Cisneros opened scoring in the eighth minute. Two minutes later, national team skipper Hali Long added to the tally, and the rout was on. Still, Cisneros paid tribute to the effort UST brought to the pitch.
“They didn’t let down even for a second,” she said, after also scoring in the 47th and 68th minutes. “Even though the score doesn’t necessarily reflect that, I think that they tried the whole 90 minutes plus.”
The other Kaya scorers were Julia Humphreys (40th and 79th minutes), Janly Fontanillas (43rd), and Dionesa Tolentin (64th).
Stallion, meanwhile, leaned on goals from midfielder Sierra Castles (8th) and Kala McDaniel (33rd) to subdue University of the Philippines, 2-0, to join Kaya at the top of the six-team standings with three points each.
“I think we came out strong,” defender Rhea Chan said. “I think we tried to break them down a little bit and they did a great job … making it difficult for us overall.” —INQUIRER SPORTS STAFF INQ
