MANILA, Philippines—University of the Philippines remained on course to retaining the men’s football crown in the UAAP Season 74 following a 1-0 victory over Far Eastern University Thursday at the Ateneo field in Katipunan.
Second-year player Jinggoy Valmayor, the top scorer last season, drilled the marginal goal on a Jay Eusebio assist in the 34th minute, giving the Fighting Maroons a total of 13 points on a 3-4-0 win-draw-loss record for the solo lead.
Keeper Tyrone Caballes also played big for UP especially in the second half where he made five saves.
With the loss, the Tamaraws remained with 8 points on a 2-2-3 record.
In the other men’s football matches, De La Salle dealt University of Santo Tomas its first loss, also 1-0, and Fitch Arboleda scored in the 74th minute in University of the East’s 1-0 squeaker over Ateneo.
Gio Diamante converted on a penalty kick with a minute left before halftime for the Green Archers, who climbed to third place with 10 points on a 2-4-1 record.
The Growling Tigers missed the services of national under-23 ace OJ Clariño, who served a one-game suspension for a red card he received in their previous match. UST has 12 points on 3-3-1 to stay in second place.
The Red Warriors, on the other hand, tied the Blue Eagles (2-0-5) in fifth place on a 1-3-3 card.
In baseball at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, National University edged De La Salle, 4-3, while Ateneo routed UST, 12-2, in only five innings.
The Bulldogs and the Blue Eagles remained tied for the lead with 7-2 won-lost records, while the Green Archers fell to third with a 6-3 card.
UP stunned Adamson, 8-7, in the other baseball match. The Falcons and the Growling Tigers are still tied at fourth with 3-6 records.