King Miyagi netted a brace tas University of the Philippines blanked University of the East, 3-0 and take a share of the top spot in the UAAP Season 80 men’s football tournament at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
JB Borlongan also netted a goal, his second of the season, for UP as the Fighting Maroons tied University of Santo Tomas atop the table with six points each.
“I thought it was a very disciplined performance, we stuck with the game plan,” said UP head coach Anto Gonzales. “We are very patient in the build-up and execution.”
Dexter Benecio earned himself a first-half brace to lead the Golden Booters past 10-man Adamson University, 3-0.
Marvin Bricenio also found the back of the net, his fourth goal of the season for UST, in the match against the Soaring Falcons off an assist from the returning Steven Anotado as the Golden Booters kept another clean sheet.
UST head coach Marjo Allado was happy he had Anotado back in the lineup as the striker, who got in the pitch in the 67th minute, missed two years of play due to a knee injury.
“Happy to see him playing in the UAAP, although he wasn’t able to score at least he had chances,” said Allado in Filipino.
It took Anotado no time to contribute to UST’s cause as he assisted Bricenio in the latter’s 68th minute goal while Benecio scored his double in the 17th and 41st minute.
Jusue Pilarca was sent off in the stoppage time of the first half that left Adamson playing with just 10 men.
In the final game, De La Salle came back from a goal down and trumped Far Eastern University, 3-1.
Rico Andes gave the Tamaraws the 1-0 lead in the 21st minute before Matthew Custodio equalized 14 minutes later for the Green Archers.
Chrisopher Lawless then broke the tie in the 76th minute and Yoshi Koizumi firmly ended the match for La Salle in the 79th.