UP booters trounce Eagles for 2nd win

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion University of the Philippines fashioned out a 2-0 win over host Ateneo De Manila University to notch its second straight win in the men’s division of the 72nd UAAP football competitions at the Erenchun Field in Ateneo campus in Katipunan, Quezon City recently.

State U’s Ghanaian Ayi Nii Aryee, who was finally allowed to play after completing his alien residential certificate, stood at the forefront of the team’s defense in the first half before Deo Segunial hit the first goal in the 45th minute mark for a 1-0 lead.

“We were able to stop Ateneo’s strikers with our defense,” said UP head coach Frank Muescam. “The entry of our Ghanaian player also boosts our campaign this season.” 

Aryee also defied Ateneo’s defense late in the second half to score UP’s second goal in the 88th minute while the rest kept the Ateneo booters scoreless the rest of the way.

Ateneo upset former champion Far Eastern University, 2-1, in last weekend’s opener.

University of Santo Tomas also picked up its second straight win, beating University of the East behind Christian De Juan and Mark Clarino’s goals in the fourth and 83rd minutes.