Lorenz Tortona’s first-half strike lifted the University of the Philippines to a hard-earned 1–0 victory over Far Eastern University, securing the Fighting Maroons the first twice-to-beat incentive in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament on Thursday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
The Xavier School product took advantage of a rare lapse by reigning Most Valuable Player and FEU goalkeeper Mon Diansuy in the 19th minute to score the match’s lone goal.
The sequence unfolded after sophomore forward Josh Garces applied heavy pressure, forcing Diansuy out of position. The loose ball fell to Tortona, who showed composure by calmly slotting it into a virtually unguarded net.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
With the win, UP extended its winning streak to six matches and improved to 25 points in the standings, sitting eight points clear of FEU, which remained in second place with 17.
It also marked the second time the Fighting Maroons defeated the Tamaraws this season, following their 3–1 victory in their first-round meeting on September 25, 2025, in Vermosa.
“Well, we can benefit from the twice-to-beat advantage. And then again, we take each game as an opportunity to get better. This is the continuation coming from a very long break. For us, it was just first game jitters,” said UP head coach Popoy Clarino.
This season marks the first time since UAAP Season 76 that the top two teams after the elimination round will be granted a semifinals bonus — coincidentally, the same two universities achieved the feat then.
The twice-to-beat advantage could prove crucial for UP, which previously missed the Final on three occasions despite finishing second in the eliminations, but without the benefit of the said incentive.
“We need to overcome that next game. And then, hopefully, we build, build our confidence going to the semifinals. We can’t be complacent as complacency kills,” added Clarino, who also serves as an assistant coach for the U-23 national team.
UP will look to secure the top seed when it faces the Adamson University Soaring Falcons (9 points; –9 goal difference) on Sunday at 2:00 PM.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Despite the loss, FEU consistently applied pressure and controlled much of the opening half. However, the Fighting Maroons’ backline, anchored by U-22 stalwart Josh Meriño in his first start of the season, stood firm.
The Fighting Maroons limited the Tamaraws to attempts that were comfortably handled by goalkeeper Alfonso Gonzales.
FEU’s best opportunity came in the 81st minute, but Theo Libarnes’ bicycle kick sailed too high and too strong, missing the open goal.
The Tamaraws will try to secure a Final Four berth later in the day when they take on the De La Salle University Green Booters (9 points; –1 goal difference) at 7:00 PM.
