UP salvages draw with FEU for top spot in UAAP football

MANILA, Philippines—University of the Philippines seized the top spot of the UAAP men’s football as it drew with defending champions Far Eastern University, 3-3, in their Thursday match at the FEU-Diliman pitch.

Jinggoy Valmayor found the back of the net off a long-range free kick with seconds remaining in stoppage time to salvage a point for UP to put their total so far at 21.

With the Maroons’ win, La Salle settled for the second spot with 20 points while Ateneo is at third with 19.

FEU is at fourth with 18 points.

“That’s what can you expect from him,” UP coach Anto Gonzales said of Valmayor’s heroics.

Valmayor, with his match-saving goal, has found the back of the net 11 times this season.

“I think, we put a lot of pressure on them (FEU) especially when they went down to 10 players,” Gonzales added.

FEU notched the 3-2 lead in the 55th minute when Noli Chavez scored on a nifty stolen play.

Nicolas Ferrer opened the scoring account for FEU in the 13th minute after he headed home Jess Meliza’s cross to put it 1-0.

Valmayor, however was on point for UP as he scored the equalizer, 1-1, in the 25th minute with his effort soaring over Audie Menzie, Justin Calamba and FEU keeper Patrick Rallos.

The Maroons took a 2-1 lead in the 29th minute as Feb Baya headed home Carlos Monfort’s assist before Meliza put on a level playing field for the Tamaraws seven minutes later.

In the first match, Lawrence Colina converted two from the spot to lift National University 3-1 over last place Adamson.