Una Kaya! Go Sparks!
What were you chanting at the University of Makati last Saturday?
The grand stand was packed. One side in Kaya FC red, the other in Loyola Meralco Sparks orange. Both halves armed with drums, banners, and flags to cheer their teams on.
I arrived as the previous game, Pasargad FC versus Stallion Giligan’s FC, was winding down.
Meanwhile, the Sparks warmed up a few feet away from me.
Moments later, I joined my friends in the grandstand (thank goodness for cozy AC’d booths on extremely humid days) in time for kickoff. Popped outside on occasion to take some shots.
Then Icko appeared toting a lens I’d been wanting to try out: the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8.
Nate Burkey scored in the first half for Kaya, and the Sparks fought back early in the second half with a goal by Phil Younghusband.
Lighting conditions were tricky but I loved how much faster this lens performed compared to my basic 55-250. It was, however, three times heavier. Fortunately, I had Coco beside me and he was willing to take on photography duty while I gave my arms a break. Just in time to shoot Kaya’s second goal by Lexton Moy, too.
And to capture sportsmanship exemplified when Kaya’s Anton del Rosario came to the aid of James Younghusband after a collision.
Another highlight that day was the return of Aly Borromeo.
In what seemed like a match in favor of Kaya, the Sparks sprung back at the very end, thanks to a header by James in the fourth and final minute of injury time.
The game ended in a 2-2 draw. For more of our photos from this match, head over to Life’s My Trip’s Facebook Page. Thank you, Icko de Guzman for the lens loan, and Coco Torre for shooting when I couldn’t!
Next up? Kaya faces Global today, May 16th while the Sparks fly off to Singapore where they face Geylang FC on Friday, the 18th.
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