Eagles nip Archers, pace UAAP football

ATENEO scored its second straight victory to grab top spot even as Far Eastern U coasted to a surprisingly easy 3-0 win over University of the Philippines Sunday in Season 75 of the UAAP men’s football tournament at Ateneo’s Eren-chun field.

The Blue Booters leaned on a 77th-minute strike from rookie Valentino Calvo to overcome arch rival La Salle, 1-0, and raise their record to 7 points on two wins and a draw.

Ateneo coach JP Merida refused to get carried away by his side’s brilliant start to the season that has seen the Blue Booters also edge last year’s losing finalist, University of Santo Tomas.

“It is a nice win but we’ll take it one game at a time,” said Merida. “We need to be in the Final Four first before anything else.”

Jess Melliza struck twice as the Tamaraws sent a strong statement with a solid win over the reigning two-time champion Maroons.

Melliza, who plays club football for Green Archers in the United Football League, opened the scoring in the 19th minute, before taking his tally to four goals this season in the 63rd minute. Eric Giganto gave FEU a 2-0 lead at halftime with a goal three minutes before the break.

“We prepared well knowing it would be tough because they are the defending champions,” said Melliza.

UST bounced back by nipping University of the East, 1-0, with the lone goal coming courtesy of the returning Patrick O’Neal in the 65th minute.

The Tigers are now level with FEU on six points although the Tamaraws remain second owing to a better goal difference.

Women’s action saw La Salle and UST battle to a 2-2 draw. Ateneo and FEU also fought to a scoreless stalemate. Cedelf P. Tupas