Unlike their first-round encounter, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons found a way past the University of Santo Tomas Golden Booters.
In what was their third straight win in the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Football Tournament second round, the Fighting Maroons secured a 2-1 victory over the Golden Booters, Sunday afternoon, at FEU-Diliman.
“We didn’t play well. I thought UST controlled much of the game. They were the more aggressive team; they wanted it more. We were lucky with our goals, but that wasn’t a good performance from our end,” said UP mentor Anto Gonzales.
As expected from two teams at the higher echelons of the standings, both UP and UST immediately tried to set the tone right from kick-off. The two squads then both found a way to get on the scoresheet in the first half.
UP skipper Kintaro Miyagi scored past UST goalie Zaldy Abraham, Jr. thanks to a Joseph Togores assist in the 12th minute. Meanwhile, Dexter Benecio found the back of the net through a free kick nine minutes from halftime.
Gonzales’ men then regained the lead in the 55th minute. Miyagi won a corner kick when Abraham parried away his attempt. When the JB Borlongan launched the ball into the UST box, Kyle Magdato converted it right at the face of goal to hand his side the advantage.
The Golden Booters tried for another late miracle in stoppage time, but there was no joyful ending this time.
Substitutes AJ Pasion and Glen Ramos both had sniffs at goal; the former shot wide, while the latter’s last-minute free kick deflected off the Fighting Maroons wall.
State U (16 points) next face the National University on April 11, 2019, 1:30 PM. On the other hand, UST (17 points) next play against the Adamson University on April 14, 2019, 3:30 PM. FEU-Diliman will continue to host both fixtures.
UST XI: Abraham (GK), Alianza, Benecio, De Castro ©, Dimacali, Fuchigami, Gumban, Menares, Orale, Rivera, Villanueva.
UP XI: Abraham, Borlongan, Bugayong, Clarino, Facturanan, Lapas, Magdato, Miyagi ©, Saavedra, Togores, Yared (GK).
