Francis Tacardon and Liam Lampayan linked up, dragging University of the Philippines past also-ran University of the East 2-1 in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Football Tournament on Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Tacardon scored the opener just a minute into the match. This was the fifth goal this season for the 22-year-old midfielder from British International School, Phuket.
Lampayan then secured full points for UP in the 60th minute with a tap-in off a set-piece from the Fighting Maroons.
The De La Salle Zobel alumnus’ goal was the perfect response for UP after Kieth Nayr Hermoso’s equalizer for UE in the 13th minute.
The result elevated UP to second in the standings with 18 points and a plus-4 goal difference behind six wins and three defeats.
Amid a tricky game against the Red Warriors, coach Popoy Clarino said that while the win was important, there were a lot of things to work on for the Fighting Maroons.
“Not how we wanted to play but three points are three points,” said Clarino.
“We would gladly take that, but again, if we’re going up against the rest of the teams – Ateneo, UST, and FEU – we’re gonna have a hard time,” he added.
Next up for the Fighting Maroons are the Ateneo Blue Eagles, who won 1-0 in the first round last March 10. The game is this Thursday at 5:00 PM on their home pitch.
“We can’t let up anymore. For the last three games, we need as many points as we can get. Hopefully, we can maximize everything and look forward to the game against Ateneo,” said Clarino.
On the other hand, the Red Warriors remained in sixth place in the standings with four points and a minus-19 goal difference.
UE will next face De La Salle University this Saturday at 6:30 PM at the same venue.
The XI:
UP XI: Gonzalez (GK), Bongolan, Lobitaña, Tobias, Tacardon, Tortona, Galsim, Donato, Lampayan, Bode, Bation III.
UE XI: Pamati-an (GK), Magallon, Palacio (C), Ebbah, Hernan, Hermoso, Madrid, Maghinay, Cabacungan, Modin.
