Leo Maquiling scored a hat-trick as Ateneo extended its undefeated run to seven matches with a dominant 7-1 victory over Adamson University in the UAAP Season 87 men’s football tournament at the UP Football Stadium on Thursday.
Maquiling opened the scoring for the Blue Eagles in the 22nd minute, capitalizing on a mistimed clearance by the Falcons. Just a minute later, he scored again, this time unmarked and assisted by Dov Cariño.
In the 67th minute, Maquiling completed the season’s first hat-trick, pushing Ateneo to a commanding 5-0 lead.
“Because of the last game of the first round, I think that motivated him to finish well and be clinical in the first half,” said coach JP Merida regarding Maquiling’s performance.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Ateneo’s win was its largest of the season, securing the team’s position at the top of the table with 21 points.
Galen Fernandez added to the tally in the 34th minute with a goal off a Cariño cross, making it 3-0 for the Blue Eagles.
Cariño also set up Ateneo’s fourth goal, which Fonzy Escobin netted during stoppage time.
“Of course, we’re really happy to secure our seventh win. It’s a good start to the second round, especially with a clean sheet in the first half,” Merida added.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Substitute Fernando Roxas scored a stunning goal in the 79th minute, while Cariño capped off the match by finally entering the scoresheet in added time.
“It was a good decision to rest some of our players with just two days until our next tough game against UP,” Merida explained.
Ateneo will face defending champions University of the Philippines in the much-anticipated Katipunan derby on Sunday.
The struggling Falcons, still without a point in the season, managed a consolation goal in the 82nd minute, courtesy of John Omar Sabaulan. (TJ)
