Joseph Garces scored the decisive goal to tow defending champion University of the Philippines to a 1-0 victory over De La Salle University, handing the Green Booters their first loss of the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament on Thursday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
The 21-year-old striker connected with a perfectly timed pass from Flor Tacardon in the 62nd minute to break the deadlock and put the Fighting Maroons ahead.
The victory allowed UP to leapfrog La Salle into second place with 11 points and a +3 goal difference. Idle Adamson University remained atop the standings with 13 points.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“We weren’t committing that much in the first half; come the second half, it was different. It was a constant battle; we had to compete with every challenge, and kudos to the team. That’s what we wanted to see: that our team ay kaya makapagpalitan ng mukha,” commented head coach Popoy Clariño.
After a goalless first half in which both teams struggled to create clear-cut chances, Garces’ introduction off the bench proved to be the game-changer for the Fighting Maroons.
Ramil Bation had an opportunity to break the deadlock in the 34th minute, but his attempt was denied by La Salle goalkeeper Iñigo Castro, who kept the Green Booters level.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
La Salle pushed for an equalizer late in the match, but UP’s backline held firm to preserve the clean sheet and seal the victory.
The Fighting Maroons will look to finish the first round on a high note when they face this season’s revelation, the Adamson Soaring Falcons, at 2 p.m. on Sunday at their home pitch.
“Like I said before when the season started, every game is a competition. Every team is a challenge; we accept them and respect them. That’s what makes us want to be better,” Clariño added.
Third-placed La Salle, which has 10 points, will also aim to close out its first-round campaign with a win when it takes on the University of Santo Tomas at 7 p.m. on Sunday at the same venue. – TJ
