Archers take football opener over Maroons

MANILA, Philippines - Reginie Metillo drilled in the clincher in stoppage time as De La Salle edged University of the Philippines (UP), 2-1, in UAAP Season 76 women’s football Sunday at the FEU-Diliman pitch in Quezon City.

Metillo, a mainstay of the Malditas, the national women’s team, converted on a free kick to hand the Lady Archers the hard-earned opening victory.

Also on Sunday, Ateneo and University of Santo Tomas battled to a scoreless draw.     

Rookie striker Kyra Dimaandal opened up scoring for De La Salle with a  ninth minute goal off a rebound from Cha Guancia’s attempt.     

The Lady Maroons equalized before the halftime behind Kali Navea-Huff after a goalmouth scramble which saw Lady Archer keeper Inna Palacios failing to handle the ball clearly.     

Defending champion FEU drew an opening day bye.

Defending men’s champion Ateneo, which drew an opening day bye, meanwhile, kicks off its Season 76 campaign when it faces FEU at 10 a.m. today.

UST and NU clash at 1 p.m. and University of the East collides with La Salle at 3 p.m. in the other men’s matches at the FEU-Diliman field.        

The Tamaraws, the Growling Tigers and the Red Warriors won their respective opening day matches to collect three points on the table.        

But all eyes will be on the Blue Eagles, who are hard-pressed to retain the title with key players – Season 75 MVP and best goalkeeper Nick O’Donnell, Jico Noel and midfielder Val Calvo – missing the season because of academics.        

Ateneo will now count on veterans Yu Murayama, Mikko Mabanag and Carlo Liay, last season’s top rookie.        

FEU seeks to follow up on its 2-0 win over National University, courtesy of Nicolas Ferrer’s two goals, last Saturday.