Ateneo, UP booters forge 3-way deadlock

ATENEO and University of the Philippines forced a three-way tie for first place after prevailing over their separate foes yesterday in the UAAP Season 77 men’s football tournament at the FEU Diliman pitch.

The Blue Eagles downed University of Santo Tomas, 3-2, while Jinggoy Valmayor struck on the 70th minute from a Vince Aguilar assist as the Fighting Maroons downed National University, 1-0.

Ateneo and UP joined defending champion Far Eastern University on top with seven points. The Bulldogs remained with four points and crashed out of the magic four.

Valmayor’s fourth goal of the season tied him with ace Tamaraws striker Eric Giganto in the scoring derby.

Ateneo rookie Julian Roxas opened the scoring with a 43rd minute goal from a Mikko Mabanag free kick.

The Growling Tigers then leveled it on a 63rd-minute strike by Efren Menares before Mabanag set up Emilio Acosta’s header to regain the upper hand.