The UP Fighting Maroons Men’s Football Team (UPMFT) rallied from an early deficit to beat the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), 4-2, behind two-goal performances from Josh Garces and Ramil Bation, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 men’s football tournament on Nov. 5 at the UP Diliman Football Field.
ADMU took the lead in the 21st minute after team captain Dov Cariño scored a powerful shot.
Garces brought UPMFT back into the game with an equalizer in the 37th minute. Four minutes later, Bation gave the UP Fighting Maroons the lead, 2-1, via a free kick that found the back of the net.
Garces struck again early in the second half, scoring in the 53rd minute of the game to extend UPMFT’s lead 3-1.
The Blue Eagles continued to fight back, with Renz Partosa finding the net in the 69th minute to cut the UPMFT’s lead to 3-2. However, Bation restored the UP Fighting Maroons’ two-goal advantage in the 79th minute, pouncing on a rebound after another free-kick attempt to complete his brace and sealing the victory for the UP Fighting Maroons.
The win kept UPMFT in third place with 14 points, tied with the De La Salle University. However, the UP Fighting Maroons trailed the Green Archers on goal difference, 13 to four.
UPMFT will next face league leader Adamson University on Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. at the same venue.