Ramil Bation III converted a penalty to propel defending champion University of the Philippines to a narrow 1-0 victory over University of the East in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament on Thursday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
The fourth-year forward broke the deadlock in the 36th minute, capping the Fighting Maroons’ relentless pressure on the Red Warriors’ defense.
Josh Garces had an opportunity in the buildup but was brought down by Carlo Gomez, earning UP a penalty that Bation calmly converted.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
The Fighting Maroons continued to press forward, with Cian Galsim causing problems down the flank. However, his deliveries failed to find their intended targets as UP struggled to capitalize on its attacking opportunities.
Despite securing all three points, UP head coach Popoy Clarino admitted that his team fell short of expectations, particularly in terms of decision-making and teamwork.
“We didn’t play to the standards that we wanted. We were very selfish in our decisions and our actions. We need to learn how to be more, to be selfless, to be of service to others first, to make sure that every action I make, my teammate can get better. If we play like that against FEU, we will have a hard time,” said Clarino, a fourth-year head coach.
“We need to be more conscious of making sure that every action that we make, my teammate will benefit from it,” he added.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
UP remained in third place with seven points and a goal difference of plus-two. The Fighting Maroons will next face Far Eastern University on Sunday at 7 p.m. in a rematch of last season’s Finals.
Adamson University and De La Salle University continued to occupy the top two spots in the standings with 12 and nine points, respectively, with two matchdays remaining in the first round.
Despite suffering another defeat, UE showed renewed resolve on the defensive end, with Jhenard Cimat leading the Red Warriors’ resistance.
UE will continue its search for a breakthrough victory when it takes on the University of Santo Tomas Golden Booters on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
