Captain Macky Tobias scored twice in the second half to lead University of the Philippines to a commanding 4-1 victory over University of the East, completing a season sweep in their UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Football tournament opener on Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium in Quezon City.
With this win, the defending champions temporarily moved into solo second place with 13 points and a plus-8 goal difference, just ahead of University of Santo Tomas at 12 points (+1 GD). Tobias, along with rookies Joseph Garces and Joses Azur, contributed to the scoring.
“We wanted to get a good start to gain momentum. We ended the last round with a win, so this second round, we want to build consistency and momentum,” said UP head coach Popoy Clarino. “We are already in that stage where teams are neck-and-neck, and a slip-up can be a setback. We have to move forward and set higher standards for our team every game.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Just like in their first-round encounter on October 13, rookie Garces provided the early lead for UP with his fifth goal of the season.
CJ Donato drew the defense in a run toward the goal, finding Cian Galsim on his right.
Galsim then delivered the ball into the box for Garces to score in the 9th minute, beating UE keeper Chrisjan Tambilawan.
Joses Azur had two opportunities to double the lead, including a shot at an open goal, but was thwarted by Mark Maghinay in the 51st minute.
However, Tobias was unstoppable in the closing minutes, sealing UP’s fourth win with back-to-back goals in the 87th and 89th minutes.
The Fighting Maroons will aim for their third straight win when they face the unbeaten Ateneo Blue Eagles next Sunday at 2 p.m. at the same venue.
“Of course, it’s going to be a great match. Ateneo is a great team; we are looking forward to going up against them. We’ll try to improve, learn from this last game, and hopefully succeed in what we plan on doing,” Clarino said about the crucial matchup against the Blue Eagles.
UE managed to score one back in the second-half added time with a goal from John Magallon, but birthday boy Azur responded with a late goal for UP to finalize the scoreline.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Red Warriors were forced to play with 10 men after Daniel Cabacungan was sent off in the 66th minute.
UE remains at 7 points with a minus-8 goal difference and will look to snap their losing streak against the De La Salle Green Booters later that day at 7 p.m.
