MANILA – Ramil Bation III converted a penalty to lift defending champion University of the Philippines past the University of the East, 1-0, in the UAAP Season 89 men’s football at the UP Diliman Football Stadium on Thursday night.
The fourth-year forward broke the deadlock in the 36th minute.
Carlo Gomez brought down Josh Garces, earning the Fighting Maroons a penalty kick that Bation calmly converted.
UP head coach Popoy Clarino said his team fell short of expectations, particularly in decision-making and teamwork.
“We didn’t play to the standards that we wanted. We were very selfish in our decisions and our actions. We need to learn how to be more, to be selfless to be of service to others first to make sure that, every action I make, my teammate can get better. If we play like that against FEU (Far Eastern University), we will have a hard time,” Clarino said.
“We need to be more conscious of making sure that every action that we make, my teammate will benefit from it.”
UP remained in third place with seven points and a goal difference of plus-two.
Meanwhile, Adamson University shocked FEU, 2-0, in the other game.
The victory marked the first time the Soaring Falcons had beaten the Tamaraws since returning to the league in Season 77 in 2015.
Team captain Christian Ricario scored just 3 minutes into the second half.
Goalkeeper CJ Lauron warded off FEU midfielder Karl Absalon’s penalty for a corner kick before rookie Fritz Chua sealed the breakthrough victory with a strike on the counterattack.
“We organized every time on our defense,” said deputy Lemuel Unabia, who guided the Soaring Falcons while head coach Darlton Digha attended to personal matters.
“We focused most of all on defending their personnel. And then, we’re just lucky — we scored two goals against them. But our main objective is to defend against them, because we already know how strong FEU is. And thank you, Lord, He gave us two goals.”
With the victory, Adamson moved to the top of the standings with 12 points and a plus-seven goal difference.
De La Salle University ranked second with nine points and a plus-six goal difference.
FEU remained at three points despite maintaining a plus-seven goal difference. (PNA)
