Kaya FC-Iloilo maintained their lead at the top of the Philippines Football League brought to you by Qatar Airways standings after a 4-0 rout of Mendiola FC 1991 while Dynamic Herb Cebu FC missed the chance to close the gap following a 1-1 draw against Stallion Laguna FC last Sunday 26 February 2023.
In their second meeting at the City of Imus Grandstand, Kaya found their form once again against a reo Mendiola side.
League top scorer Daizo Horikoshi opened the scoring in the 41st minute for Kaya, but it was in the second half where they fired three more goals to complete the result.
Jesus Melliza and Arnel Amita netted back-to-back goals in the 62nd and 63rd minutes before new signing Dylan Nobiraki added a fourth in the 77th minute for Kaya who now collected 33 points after 14 games.
Over in Binan Football Stadium, the debuting Miguel Mendoza allowed ten-man Stallion Laguna to deny the streaking Dynamic Herb Cebu FC.
Roberto Corsame, Jr. broke the deadlock in the 34th minute with a shot that caught goalkeeper Patrick Deyto after he was picked out by an inviting pass from Marius Kore.
Despite conceding first, Stallion pressed on and were rewarded when Mendoza levelled things 20 minutes from time after slotting the ball with a half-volley after a scramble from a corner kick.
However, Stallion were forced to finish the match with ten men after Patrick Deyto was sent off in the 74th minute after an argument with the referee.
Cebu moved up into second place with 25 points, while Stallion are in fifth with 16 points.