In front of an energetic Thursday night crowd at the UP Diliman Football Field, University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas fought out a heated 0-0 stalemate in the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Football Tournament.
The Golden Booters finished the game with only 10 players left on the pitch after UST’s Jhon Andre Azares was dismissed in the 83rd minute after he incurred a second yellow card for committing a dangerous foul on UP’s Florenz Tacardon.
That incident epitomized what was a highly physical match between both teams hungry for points.
“I was disappointed with the red card,” said Golden Booters coach Marjo Allado. “Here it’s not about the physical endurance but the mental endurance. This is what is important in the UAAP. That’s why we gave up a red card. I hope (Azares) will learn from this situation because this is a very important game.”
Beforehand, UST’s Diego Luna and UP’s Karl Bugayong clashed, which earned them yellow cards. UST’s Archie Belluga also committed a bad foul that also earned him a caution
Down one man, UST managed to defend resolutely until the final whistle. UP’s Gabriel Galsim had a sniff at goal, only for his header to go wide.
Golden Booters skipper Daniel Nartey tried to steal all three points late in the game but his shot was blocked.
Earlier in the match, Fighting Maroons striker Anton Guarina was denied a clean attempt at goal because of a last-ditch tackle. He then had a free kick but his shot went over the bar.
“We didn’t score any goals for the second game running so that’s gonna be their main area for improvement,” said UP coach Anto Gonzales. “Our goal every game is to improve from our last performance. So we bring the positives to the next games and we try to work on the areas we need to improve on.”
UP will go up against FEU this Sunday at 2:00 PM. On the other hand, UST will return to action against De La Salle University on March 12, 2023, at 6:00 PM. Both games will be held at the same venue.
UP XI: Tiambeng (GK), Bongolan, Bugayong, Tobias, Togores, Venus, Tacardon, Guarina, Lampayan, Basmayor, Lobitana.
UST XI: Abada (GK), Visitacion, Jarandillo, Marasigan, Belluga, Fianza, Alegre, Luna, Azares, Garciano, Nartey (C).
