Brothers Jian and Adri Caraig proved that familiar connections can make the difference, steering the University of the Philippines to a 1-0 victory over Adamson University in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament, Thursday at the UP Football Stadium in Diliman, Quezon City.
Jian — a member of the U-23 national team — found space on the left flank before sending a precise ball into the box in the 35th minute.
The pass met his older brother Adri, who fired a rolling shot that Adamson keeper Shane Salarda hesitated to collect, allowing it to slip into the back of the net.
The win lifted the Fighting Maroons to the top of the standings with 10 points built on three victories and a draw, with a +4 goal difference. They are just ahead of Far Eastern University and Ateneo de Manila University, both carrying seven points and a +3 GD.
It was a significant result for UP, which played without head coach Popoy Clarino, who was in Australia serving as an assistant coach for the Philippine Men’s National Team during its 4-1 win over Timor Leste in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“We had to adjust, you know, because, first of all, we had people, players, who had the flu,” said assistant coach Ojay Clarino. “The original lineup changed just for today. We had three players recovering from the flu, and then we had (Cian) Galsim, who wasn’t feeling well.
“Then again, we’re very fortunate, despite Adamson also pushing us; so, with all the changes, the intensity of the game, we still got the win. I mean, like, of course, although it happens, but we’re still happy,” the former Fighting Maroon added.
Just as they did in their goalless draw against De La Salle University, UP came out aggressive from the opening whistle, attacking through the flanks with Benz Samaniego and Jian Caraig frequently connecting with their targets up front.
Salarda and the Adamson backline denied several early chances, but the space eventually opened for the breakthrough goal — a product of the Caraig brothers’ chemistry.
Florenz Tacardon nearly doubled UP’s lead before halftime after beating the offside trap, but his heavy touch allowed Salarda to easily collect the ball.
The Fighting Maroons continued to press in the second half, with substitutes Shan Lorque and Rehmat Sidhu trying their luck, but neither could convert.
Goalkeeper Fonzy Gonzalez, meanwhile, anchored UP’s defense with poise, securing his third clean sheet of the season.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
He foiled Adamson’s late efforts from Ivan Francisco and Djobow Bolus to preserve the narrow win.
UP, still unbeaten, will next face Ateneo in the first-round “Battle of Katipunan” on Sunday at 6:30 PM, still at the Diliman pitch.
Adamson stayed in sixth place with four points and dropped to a -4 goal difference. The team will face De La Salle University (5 pts; 0 GD) earlier that same day at 4:00 PM.
