Kofi Agyei netted a hat-trick as Ateneo took the solo lead with a comprehensive 4-0 romp of University of the East Thursday in the UAAP Season 86 men’s football tournament at the UP Football Field.
From a Galen Fernandez cross, Agyei opened the Blue Eagles’ account in the 37th minute.
Agyei scored on an open goal in the 44th minute to double Ateneo’s lead before the break.
He nailed a header in the 70th minute before calling it a day two minutes later.
“It feels good. I’m really proud of myself. We just kept on pushing,” said Agyei, who now has four goals in the season.
“I’m so happy with Kofi. He performed really well,” said coach JP Merida.
The Blue Eagles, who seized the top of the table with seven points, put the match to bed on Marco Salud’s 87th-minute header.
“I think because of discipline. Defensively, we were very disciplined. Consistent. The communication is very good, that’s why we scored four goals,” said Merida.
Up next for Ateneo is holders Far Eastern University, a rematch of last season’s Final, on Thursday. The Tamaraws unseated the Blue Eagles in the throne with a 4-1 victory in the championship match last May.
“It’s a tough game on March 7, playing against the defending champions. We have more time to prepare against them,” said Merida. “Playing against FEU, you need to be consistent especially defending and attacking.”
The Red Warriors, meanwhile, remained at three points. UE is actually level with FEU, University of the Philippines, and University of Santo Tomas but the Recto-based side now sits in sixth place by virtue of inferior goal difference.
