Josh Garces and Ramil Bation scored two goals apiece as defending champion University of the Philippines powered its way to a 4-2 victory over Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament on Thursday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Garces, a third-year striker from Don Bosco Cebu, kick-started the Fighting Maroons’ comeback with the equalizer in the 37th minute before doubling their advantage in the 53rd.
Meanwhile, Bation, the Season 86 Rookie of the Year, found the back of the net twice off free kicks.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
His first, a direct attempt that took a slight deflection, gave the hosts their second goal in the 41st minute, while his second came on a rebound in the 79th to put the game beyond Ateneo’s reach.
UP remained in third place with 14 points, tied with De La Salle University but trailing the Green Booters in goal difference, plus-four to plus-13.
“We conceded six goals last round. We told the team, the goal now for the second round is not to concede goals, but we just conceded two goals,” said head coach Popoy Clarino.
“The good thing about this is that we found the back of the net four times; the team responded well to the pressure. It was a better performance to start the second round, and we hope that we stay consistent for the next five games,” he added.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
The Blue Eagles, who also took the lead in their first-round 1-1 draw against UP, drew first blood this time through a vicious strike from team captain Dov Cariño in the 21st minute.
However, Ateneo failed to protect its advantage as the Fighting Maroons responded with three unanswered goals.
Renz Partosa pulled one back for the Blue Eagles in the 69th minute to cut the deficit to one, but Bation restored UP’s two-goal cushion 10 minutes later.
Cariño threatened again late in the match, but substitute Andres Dumlao came up with a crucial stop to deny his cross.
Ateneo remained in seventh place with four points, slipping to a minus-eight goal difference.
Both teams return to action on Sunday, with UP taking on league leader Adamson University at 2 p.m. before Ateneo battles Far Eastern University at 7 p.m.
