Defending champions Kaya-Iloilo denied unheralded Mendiola FC 1991 a chance to snatch at least another point after a 1-0 victory in the Copa Paulino Alcantara on Monday, April 11, 2022 at the PFF National Training Centre in Carmona, Cavite.
Jhan-Jhan Melliza’s second half goal was enough to give Kaya the victory, but not after another determined challenge by a Mendiola side that held top of the table United City FC to a scoreless draw last week.
Second-running Kaya improved to seven points through three matches, one behind United City for the lead with the former having a match at hand.
It also extended Kaya’s unbeaten run in domestic competitions to 12 consecutive games dating back to the Philippines Football League 2020 season.
Mendiola couldn’t repeat the result of its previous match and absorbed a third defeat in four matches to stay with just one point.
Their confidence on a high after the previous fixture, the Brave Men tried to do the same against the cup holders with goalkeeper Michael Asong once again leading the charge.
Asong averted an early chance by Kaya to take the lead, easily stopping Melliza’s shot after dispossessing Kim Minsu.
Aaron Altiche nearly gave Mendiola a dream start also in the first half but his attempt hit the crossbar.
Kaya had another chance to secure the opener but Daizo Horikoshi’s shot was saved by Asong while a Simone Rota header off a corner by Melliza sailed wide to the left.
Early in the second half, Horikoshi again fired a shot on goal, but his header reached past the far right side while Mendiola’s Alassane Wade couldn’t get a good touch during a counterattack near the hour mark.
The eventual winner finally came in the 68th when Horikoshi’s shot was deflected by Asong, only for Melliza to score on the rebound for Kaya.
Melliza almost made it 2-0 late in the match with a shot towards an open goal, but Michael Salilig made a timely clearance while Jim Ashley Flores had an opportunity to equalize for Mendiola in stoppage time but was stopped by Kaya keeper Zach Banzon.
Kaya returns to action on April 20 against the Azkals Development Team in the rematch of last year’s Copa Final while Mendiola plays Stallion-Laguna also on the same day.