UNIVERSITY of the Philippines warmed up for the Final Four of the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Football Tournament with a comprehensive, 4-0, win over University of Santo Tomas on Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Francis Tacardon broke the deadlock for the Fighting Maroons in the 45th minute while Lorenz Tortona doubled their cushion with a goal in the 54th minute.
With UP already up by two goals, Orlan Togores joined the party with a long-range effort in the 82nd minute. Vincent Parpan then concluded the drubbing by scoring in the 87th minute.
“It feels good,” said UP coach Popoy Clarino. “It’s definitely a confidence booster for the team. But, of course, the semifinals is a different game. So we’re there to really prepare.
“We have 10 days to prepare and we’re looking forward to it,” he added.
This was the fifth straight win for the Fighting Maroons, and they achieved it by snapping Golden Booters’ five-game unbeaten run in the second round.
UP reclaimed top spot in the standings with 27 points and a plus-14 goal difference while UST remained locked in third place with 20 points and a plus-11 GD.
“We were able to achieve what we came out here to do in the second round. We looked to get the maximum points that we can come up with,” said Clarino.
“Unfortunately, we had a rough moment against La Salle. But again, the team responded very well after that, and we never looked back,” he expressed.
Both teams’ Final Four opponents will depend on the Far Eastern University-University of the East clash this Thursday at 4 p.m. at the same venue.
A win for the Tamaraws will ensure that the Fighting Maroons and the Golden Booters will face each other again in the semifinal.
However, if the Red Warriors can draw or win, that would mean the Fighting Maroons will face one of the Ateneo Blue Eagles or DLSU Green Booters while the Tamaraws and Golden Booters will go against each other in the Final Four.
The XI:
UST XI: Fernandez (GK), Ramos, Alegre, Jubac, Songalia, Botavara, Orale, Lajot, Orate, Marquez, De Sagun.
UP XI: Gonzalez (GK), Togores, Pagdanganan, Tacardon, Tortona, Palacio, Galsim, Donato, Huelva, Bode, Antonio
