While on the hunt for a strong finisher, KAYA-Iloilo Futbol Club found the extra boost they needed on Alfredo Cortez and Ernest Barfo to pull off a 1-0 upset against Loyola Meralco Sparks and reclaimed the top seed of the Philippines Football League on Wednesday, April 2, at Iloilo Sports Complex.

Barfo, who failed to chip in a netter during the last four games he played since he joined the team, just had his breakthrough moment following his perfectly-executed header that gave KAYA their winning goal of the match.

“I’ve already played four games when I came and I had no score, so I said to myself I have to score today,” the center-forward said.

Being one of the few additions to the team, he also said that it was his teammates who inspired him to go all out and play well.

“They gave me the courage to be able to score today. We have an all around team and they are all playing really, really well, but I am just happy that I got my first goal here in Iloilo,” he added.

The defending champion’s defense patterns had been put to test early in the first half of the game as Loyola managed to hustle for the offensive side.

But despite Loyola’s early attempts of aggressiveness, KAYA goalkeeper, Alfredo Cortez only had one thing in mind: to never allow the ball pass through him.

Cortez’ constant denial of Loyola’s plea for a goal earned him the Man Of The Match title.

“The biggest objective for today was to win. My job was to keep the ball out of the net, so what’s going through my head was to just help the team up,” the 26-year-old goalkeeper said.

In the final minutes of the match, Loyola nearly scored a goal that could have turned the game in their favor, but Cortez still had some luck up his sleeve.

“When they played the ball in, and the forward brought it down, I didn’t know if it was gonna be outside or not. I was just ready to get the shot whether they called it or not, and I’m happy I was able to get a touch and send it off the post,” the American GK said.

Cortez, who joined KAYA Iloilo on February 9, shared his thoughts on the team’s preparation for their crucial weekend match.

“It’s in 72 hours, I believe. We plan to just rest and have a recovery day, and then I think on the mental side of it, it’s a very big game we have to win,” he added.

Meanwhile, KAYA-IFC Head Coach Yu Hoshide, said it was his players’ attitude towards the game that made them win against Loyola FC.

“We expected more than what we scored, but it was not so easy, especially because it was a very good game against Loyola. But actually, our attitude is really nice. Sometimes, everybody’s tired but most of the veterans are really [ahead] of us, and [ahead] of the coaching side as well. So, it’s good so far right now,” the Japanese football coach and former player said.

With their victory against Loyola, the KAYA-Iloilo Futbol Club is now back on top of the standings after taking over Manila Diggers.

The league’s top two teams will face off on Saturday, April 5, with Kaya eyeing a back-to-back title victory on their home turf—provided they secure the win.Vincent Dave Molavin/IMT Sports