UAAP football: UP turns back UST, gains lead

MANILA, Philippines - Cristina delos Reyes fired a hat-trick as University of the Philippines shut out University of Santo Tomas, 4-0, to seize the lead in the UAAP Season 77 women’s football tourney at Ateneo’s Moro Lorenzo field over the weekend.

Delos Reyes, who has donned the country’s colors in international competitions, took only a minute to get the scoring going then added more goals in the 28th and 37th to power the Lady Maroons to their third straight win and a tournament-best nine points.

Mary Rose Obra (7’) also struck for UP, which moved three points clear of idle defending champion Far Eastern (six points) in the table.

The Tigresses suffered their third consecutive setback to remain at fourth with three points behind third-running Ateneo (3) and ahead of No. 5 La Salle (3).

In men’s play over the FEU-Diliman pitch, Eric Ben Giganto sizzled with four goals as titlist FEU Tams clobbered Adamson, 9-1, to stay close to the leaders.

Giganto slammed it home in the 28th, 49th, 55th and 77th minute to underscore the one-sided nature of the match in favor of the Tamaraws, who hiked their tally to 10 points for third behind UP’s 13 and Ateneo’s 11.

Jesus Melliza scored a brace (22’ and 88’) to backstop Giganto while Nicolas Ferrer (7’), Arnel Amita (40’) and Paolo Bugas (63’) also joined tthe scoring parade.

Goldwyn Espina prevented a shutout loss for the winless Falcons with his 36th minute connection.

National U joined FEU at third spot as the Bulldogs picked up their 10th point at the expense of the UST Golden Booters, 3-1.

Francis Jay Abalunan (7’), Jezer Jalandoni (44’), and Paolo Salenga (81’) struck for NU, which stuck the Tigers at sixth place with six points on two wins against four losses. Dexter John Benecio (79’) accounted for UST’s lone goal.