KAYA FC banked on a strong first half to repulse Green Archers United, 2-0, and claim third-place in the Philippine Football Federation-Smart National Club Championship on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Alu Kigbu and Antonio Ugarte struck a goal apiece for Kaya, which went to the game eager to atone for its 2-1 loss to Negros Occidental-based Ceres in the semifinals.
Kigbu drew first blood when he scored 15 minutes into the game before the Filipino-American Ugarte put Kaya in total control after sneaking in a goal a minute before halftime.
“We had a good first half. When we played Ceres, we didn’t come out the best in the first half so it was good that we came into this game and try to start on a good note,” the 23-year-old Ugarte said.
“It’s nice that we came out with this win leading into the (United Football) League, but everybody wanted to win this Cup as well,” he added as Kaya enters the new season trying to duplicate or surpass its runner-up finish last year.
Obviously the Archers were still reeling from their semifinal defeat against PSG last week when they squandered a two-goal lead, failed to score a goal back despite numerous attempts in the second half.
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