In a game that had everything but a clear victor, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons and University of Santo Tomas Golden Booters fought out an entertaining 1-1 draw, Sunday morning at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
“Well better na hindi kami na goal-an last minute kasi nag-collapse yung defenders namin last minute na yun,” said UST coach Marjo Allado. “At least na-draw namin yung league leaders ngayon kahit 1-1. It’s a good result for UST because at the moment we’re second place. Kahit papano na-hold namin yung UP.”
The Fighting Maroons got an early lead in the game thanks to JB Borlongan’s strike at the 31st minute. State U’s lead should have doubled early in the second half when a fine passage of play lead to Fidel Tacardon whose shot was parried away to safety by UST goalkeeper Zaldy Abraham Jr.
UST, though, found a way to level the ballgame in the most surprising of ways. A Golden Booters free kick was headed down by striker Steven Anotado. Anotado’s header allowed the ball to get loose inside the Fighting Maroons box and it was accidentally turned into his own net by UP defender Javier Bonoan at the 57th minute.
In spite of the setback, UP went close to regaining the lead roughly a minute after it conceded. The Season 78 champions won a free kick right outside the Golden Booters box which skipper Ian Clarino took. Clarino unleashed a powerful shot that was only denied by the crossbar.
Anotado then could have have given UST the lead as he smartly eluded the UP center-backs Clarino and Bonoan, found himself unmarked and headed the ball into the goal only for Fighting Maroons goalkeeper Anton Yared to save the shot from point-blank range.
State U intensified its approach in the final stages of the game. Miguel Clarino hit the side-netting after another good sequence of play while the Fighting Maroons had a penalty shout when Fidel Tacardon was brought down in the box. Referee Wilfredo Bermejo did not point to the spot, however, and the game finished 1-1.
“The referees influenced the results again,” commented an angry UP coach Anto Gonzales. “I thought we stepped up very well in the second half. Unfortunately, I mean, we have addressed this with the UAAP Football Committee to please protect the integrity of the game by not assigning referees with the smallest connection to any team.
“Waling (Bermejo) is from Iloilo. Coach Marjo is from Iloilo, the rest of the coaching staff, some (UST) players are from Iloilo and it was very evident even during the first half. It’s doing injustice to the efforts of the players,” he furthered.
With the result, UP maintained a safe lead on top of the standings with 17 points while UST is still at 2nd place with 14 points. There is still no word as to when both squads shall start their second round campaigns.
