UP booters nip Warriors for 4th straight victory

MANILA, Philippines –  University of the Philippines stayed unbeaten in four games in the 73rd University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s football event after nipping University of the East, 1-0, the other day at the Erenchun Field inside the Ateneo Campus.

Midfielder Stephen Permanes scored UP’s lone goal at the 59th minute after a lob pass from Nathan Octavio and the Fighting Maroons improved to 4-0-0 win-loss-draw record for a leading 12 points.

“Our key to winning was control of the midfield. It made it easier for us to attack,” said UP coach Frank Muescam. “But we also got lucky that they missed the penalty. We’ll take the win of course.”

In the other games, second-running De La Salle University posted a 2-0 win against defending champion Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas beat Ateneo De Manila University, 4-0, to log 1-2-1 for five points.

Striker Federico Rabaya hit two goals at the seventh and 50th minute for La Salle, which improved to two wins and two draws for eight points.

FEU fell to 0-2-2 win-loss-draw for two points and Ateneo stayed winless with a draw and three losses for one point.