Anton Guariña’s late goal earned University of the Philippines a 2-2 draw against University of the East in the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Football Tournament, Thursday at the UP Diliman Football Field.
With the Fighting Maroons facing a one-goal deficit, Guariña scored an equalizer in the 90th minute to save his team a point.
The Colegio de San Agustin Makati alumnus then could have stolen a winner for UP in stoppage time but he shot narrowly wide.
“Good recovery from the boys,” said coach Anto Gonzales after UP rose to six points. “But we have to be consistent with our intensity in the midfield and staying focused din sa backline because we made some silly mistakes at the back.”
UP’s draw with UE allowed Far Eastern University to seize the top of the table. The Red Warriors dropped to second with nine points.
Guariña’s late leveler offset the fact that UP fell behind twice to UE in the match.
Kian James Lauriano’s magnificent volley broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute for the Red Warriors. Champ Marin then scored a tap-in in the 73rd minute after Fighting Maroons goalkeeper Fredrick Ryan Tiambeng failed to properly handle the ball during a set-piece.
Arturo Alleje scored a header in the 35th minute for UP in between both UE goals.
“May panghinayang lang ng kaunti,” said UE coach Fitch Arboleda. “Yung draw naman ok lang at least hindi kami natalo. Nakakuha kami ng one point pero nandun na eh last five minutes.
“Yun lang yung kaunting panghinayang ko pero the way naman kami naglaro, yung mga players ko coming off the bench, ok yung nilaro. Yung mga pumalit sa starters ngayon, sobrang nag-step up,” he added.
Both teams will return to action next Thursday. UE will take on University of Santo Tomas at 2:00 PM while UP shall go up against De La Salle University at 6:00 PM.
UP XI: Tiambeng (GK), Bongolan, Bugayong, Tobias, Togores, Calayag, FA Tacardon, Tidor, Alleje, Galsim, Lobitana
UE XI: Pamati-an (GK), Palacio, Marin, Madrid, Inguito, Gatilao, Ang, Lauriano, Alovera, Abarca, Adonis
