Visayas Clasico:Cebu FC faces tough test vs Kaya FC Iloilo

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu FC Gentle Giants hope to get back into the winning track but it’s no easy task as they go up against league leaders Kaya FC Iloilo in their fourth consecutive home game in the Philippines Football League (PFL) Season 2024-2025 today (Saturday, March 1) at the Dynamic Herb-Borromeo Sports Complex in South Road Properties (SRP).

Dubbed as another ‘Visayas Clasico’, the expected grudge rematch will kick off at 6 p.m.

Cebu FC is seeking payback of the 3-1 beating it absorbed at the hands of Kaya during their first round meeting at the University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman pitch in Manila last year.

For head coach Glenn Ramos, this is probably their most important match as Kaya is on top of the table with 28 points from its 9-1-1 win-loss-draw record.

Ramos though is highly optimistic on their chances this time because when they lost to Kaya, he had just taken over the Gentle Giants and the lineup was not complete then as some players had still to return from vacation.

“We lost to Kaya 3-1 but that was just on a five-day training and that time, the squad was not yet complete,” Ramos said. “Still, Kaya is a strong team with good teamwork, and they are on a very high level because they are playing in AFC competitions and the Shopee Cup, that’s their strength.”

The Gentle Giants will try to bounce back after their two-game win streak was halted by the Manila Digger right before their home crowd exactly a week ago.

It’s a stinging defeat that Ramos puts down to mental lapses in both their attacking and defending strategies.

“We trained this week about their understanding of the playing style I wanted for this Saturday and I believe they got it, so hopefully we can give Kaya a good game,” Ramos said.

Cebu FC, which beefed up its crew by welcoming back former goalkeeper Nathanael “Ace” Villanueva and adding Leo Gabriel Maquiling to its roster, is currently at third place in the standings with 20 points on a 6-2-3 slate.