Tigers, Maroons show way in UAAP soccer

MANILA, Philippines—National team mainstay OJ Clariño scored in the 26th minute as University of Santo Tomas nosed out University of the East, 1-0, Sunday at the start of second round action of UAAP Season 74 men’s football at the Ateneo field.

The two other men’s matches were decided by similar 1-0 scores with Ghana’s Ayi Nii Aryee converting a penalty kick goal in the second half to power defending champion UP past Ateneo and Don Rabaya lifting La Salle past Far Eastern University.

The Growling Tigers solidified their hold of the top spot with 12 points on a 3-3-0 win-draw-loss record, while the Fighting Maroons, who ended a four-game scoreless streak, moved up to 10 points with 2-4-0 slate for second place.

The Tamaraws are mired at eight points with a 2-2-2 card, the Green Archers improved to seven points on 1-4-1 card and the Blue Eagles were stuck with six points with 2-0-4. The Red Warriors have three points on 0-3-3.

In women’s play, La Salle blanked UP, 2-0, to collect six points on a 1-3-1 slate. The Lady Maroons are 1-2-2.

In baseball, La Salle routed UP, 7-1, while NU stunned Ateneo, 8-5, at the Rizal ballpark.

With the win, the Green Archers and the Bulldogs joined a three-way tie for the lead with the Blue Eagles at 6-2.

Defending champion UST zeroed in on the Final Four by edging Adamson, 10-9, tying its victim in fourth at 3-5.

In chess at the FEU-Manila, the reigning five-time champion Tamaraws drubbed the Tigers, 3-1, to keep top spot at the start of the men’s second round.

Titleholder La Salle, meanwhile, widened its lead in the women’s division after subduing NU, 3-1.