CITY OF IMUS – University of the Philippines seized the top spot following a 3-1 triumph over defending champion Far Eastern University, Thursday night in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub here.
Ramil Bation III opened the scoring off a corner in the 18th minute and later set up Shan Roque’s 42nd-minute strike, giving the Fighting Maroons a 2-0 lead.
The Tamaraws pulled one back in the 58th minute after Selwyn Mamon beat his defender, making the match more competitive.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
UP restored its two-goal cushion in the 79th minute when Florenz Tacardon struck off a Rehmat Sidhu assist that came courtesy of a Jian Caraig clearance.
This was the teams’ first meeting since last season’s tense Final Four clash, which FEU won.
The Fighting Maroons were aggressive, earning multiple corners that resulted in two well-deserved first-half goals.
Following up last Sunday’s 1-0 win over University of the East, UP now has a maximum of six points, two clear of second-placed University of Santo Tomas, which battled to a 2-2 stalemate with Adamson University earlier in the day.
The victory also marked a winning return for Fighting Maroons coach Popoy Clarino, who missed the opener due to a one-match suspension.
“It was a good game. We covered all our objectives coming from our last game,” said the long-time head coach.
“We had a lot of opportunities to play through the midfield. And from the match against UE, I think the players brought in the fight, and they stepped up to the challenge.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Jake Morallo, the Baby Tamaraws’ high school boys football coach, took over on an interim basis after the newly appointed coach, Sergei Duque, withdrew on the eve of the match, reportedly due to health issues.
UP will have a week-long break before facing De La Salle on Oct. 2, while FEU returns to action on Sunday against Adamson. – TJ
