UP shakes off UE to open second round with a triumph

University of the Philippines strengthened its final four bid in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Football Tournament after outlasting the aggressive UE Red Warriors, 4-1, Sunday, November 3 at the UP Diliman Stadium in Quezon City.

Similar to their first round meeting, super rookie Josh Garces scored an early goal at the ninth minute of the game—his fifth of the season, to keep UP ahead for the entirety of the game. Then, captain Macky Tobias earned consecutive goals at the 87th and 89th minutes to secure the win.

Despite a John Magallon goal to put UE on the board, birthday boy Joses Azur replied quickly to hammer down the nail at the 90+5 minute.

UP now climbs up to the third position with 13 points and a plus-eight goal difference, just behind Ateneo and FEU.

The match saw the Red Warriors failing to capitalize on their goal opportunities, with most of their kicks going off-target or hitting the goal post. Charles Lobitaña also proved to be crucial as he used his body multiple times to block UE’s shots late in the first half.

Although UP had significantly fewer chances at goals than UE, they did land consecutive chances to score in the 51st minute from substitutes Ramil Bation III and Azur, but were denied by UE’s scrappy, out-of-system defense. Until Tobias’s late-game goals, the game saw a slower pace after the Red Warriors had to play with 10 men following a Daniel Cabacungan red card in the 66th minute.

Yesterday’s match also saw the comeback of Florenz Tacardon, who was sidelined for a few weeks following his ankle injury in their game against the Ateneo Blue Eagles last October 10. He made an instant impact despite his limited minutes, heavily guarding the right field, and ultimately allowing Azur’s late goal.

The UP Fighting Maroons will look to avenge their first round defeat against the unbeaten Blue Eagles on Sunday at 2:00 PM, at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

Meanwhile the UE Red Warriors are set at sixth place, with seven points and a minus-eight goal difference. They are set to face the De La Salle Green Booters also on Sunday, at 7:00 PM.

This UP Fighting Maroons Club post is in partnership with Jiang Nan Hotpot.

Photos by Hero Dela Peña