Draw vs Laguna seals Iloilo’s silver medal

MANILA, Philippines — Kaya FC Iloilo settled for a 1-1 draw with Stallion Laguna but still put a lock on the silver medal with two games to spare in the Philippines Football League Sunday at Biñan Football Stadium.

Jovin Bedic gave the Iloilo-based booters a 1-0 headstart with a glancing header off a Janrick Soriano cross in the 41st minute. A defensive lapse in the 55th enabled Jesus Melliza to fire the home equalizer.

The two sides failed to break the deadlock all the way to the finish.

Kaya hiked its tally to 43 points, now beyond reach of Davao Aguilas’ 38 in their race for No. 2. Idle Ceres Negros has already clinched its second straight title with an unassailable 54-point tally. Laguna improved to 35, three off third-running Davao.

“It’s not the result we wanted but it’s the result we needed to secure second spot,” said coach Noel Marcaida.

Iloilo has two matches left in league play against JPV Marikina on Aug. 22 and Global Cebu three days later and will take the opportunity to give its second stringers exposure looking forward to the Paulino Alcantara Cup.

“It’s a good thing we’re able to secure second as early as today; we’ve got two more games and this will be a showcase for players who haven’t had many minutes, a chance for them to show what they can bring to the Cup,” said Marcaida.

Iloilo and Laguna ended the campaign tied in five head to-head matches, posting two wins against two losses and drawing their last game.