UP XI keeps top spot with draw

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines grabbed a precious point with a 2-2 draw against Ateneo Sunday that kept the Fighting Maroons on top in the UAAP Season 77 men’s football tournament at Moro Lorenzo Football Field.

An own goal from Jin Montemayor in the 56th minute looked to have given the Fighting Maroons maximum points, but Ateneo restored parity through an Emilio Acosta strike near the hour mark.

The Blue Eagles actually took the lead in the 18th minute with Wilson Montemayor finding the back of the net, but the Fighting Maroons quickly leveled through Jose Antonio Yatco.

La Salle leapfrogged past Ateneo at second after a 1-1 stalemate with Far Eastern U.

Chuckie Uy scored the equalizer a minute from time as the Green Booters continued the trend of scoring late goals. La Salle also beat UST, 2-1, in its final game of the first round, thanks to a stoppage-time goal.

UP remained on top with 17 points with La Salle in second with 16. Ateneo has 15 points, while FEU has 14 points.

The Tamaraws missed reigning Most Valuabla Player Paolo Bugas, who has been ruled out for the season due to an ACL injury he suffered in the 1-3 loss to UP in the first round.

But FEU remained lethal with Jess Melliza scoring on a penalty in the 84th minute. But La Salle salvaged a point with Uy coming up with a crucial strike in the end.

In women’s play, titleholder FEU nipped UST, 1-0, while La Salle and Ateneo fought to a goalless draw.

Juniors football also opened last weekend with reigning titlist FEU-Diliman whipping UST, 10-0, and La Salle-Zobel slipping past Ateneo, 3-2.