Defending champion Kaya FC-Iloilo guns for back-to-back titles when the Philippine Women’s League (PWL) starts on 22 March.

Kaya team captain Hali Long told DAILY TRIBUNE that with a slot in the AFC Women’s Champions League at stake, they expect no less than a dogfight against five other squads in the prestigious Women’s League.

Matches will be held on Saturdays and Sundays at the Mall of Asia Football Pitch and will feature a double-round robin format where the team with the most number of wins will lift the trophy.

“Getting to the Champions League is the ultimate goal for all the teams. We’re all going to try our best in the tournament,” said Long, who is part of the Philippine national women’s football team.

“It’s nice to play against (Filipinas) teammates. It keeps our competitiveness high.”

Completing the six-team league are PFF Women’s Cup titlist Stallion Laguna FC, Capital1 Solar Strikers, University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas and Makati FC.

Kaya is determined to retain its crown after suffering setbacks last year.

The Iloilo-based squad narrowly missed the knockout stages of the Champions League last year after a 0-2-1 win-draw-loss record.

Kaya then lost to Stallion, 0-1, in the Women’s Cup final last December, thanks to a quick goal from Chandler McDaniel.

Kaya assistant coach Yu Hoshide said they welcome the challenge of defending the title against stronger opponents.