MANILA, Philippines - Ghanaian Ayi Nii Aryee scored a goal in the closing minutes as University of the Philippines defeated University of the East, 1-0, to stay unbeaten in the 73rd University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s football at the Erenchun Field inside the Ateneo campus yesterday.
Ayi outmaneuvered two defenders in the middle to score in the 83rd minute as the Fighting Maroons notched their seventh straight victory and draw for a 22-point advantage.
“I was happy that Ayi was able to vindicate himself,” said UP head coach Anto Gonzales. “We are aiming for the twice to beat advantage.”
In the second match, UST rallied from two-goal deficits in the first half to shock reigning champion Far Eastern U, 3-2, to remain in second place with 17 points with five wins, two losses and a draw.
The Tamaraws scored early in the third minute behind striker Jess Melliza’s volley and knocked in another goal at 37th minute.
But UST refused to give up and rallied in the second half as Ojay Clariño scored on the 56th minute. The Tigers midfielder Ronnel Lagrimas fired away the equalizer in the 63rd minute.
With two minutes gone by in the injury time, Clariño booted out the winning goal.
In the other match, Ateneo De Manila University dealt arch-rival De La Salle University a serious blow to its title bid with a scoreless draw. La Salle stayed at third with 3-1-4 for 13 points.