ATENEO defeated defending champion University of the Philippines, 1-0, to end the first round of the UAAP men’s football tournament unbeaten on Sunday at the Erenchun field in Ateneo de Manila.
Midfielder Leo Carlo Liay scored in the 85th minute to put the unbeaten Blue booters firmly on top of the team standings at the end of first round with 16 points on five wins and a draw.
The Fighting Maroons have 10 points from a 3-2-1 won-loss-draw record.
Far Eastern University, meanwhile, strengthened its hold of second place after routing last year’s runner-up University of Santo Tomas, 5-1, behind the four goals of Jesus Melliza.
FEU improved to 15 points on five wins and a loss.
Melliza, who currently leads the league in goals made with 13 this season, scored in the seventh, 20th, 52th, and in stoppage time. FEU’s Paolo Bugas hit a goal in the 88th minute.
Ronnel Lagrimas scored in the 81st minute for the Tigers, who ended the first round with six points.
In the first game, newcomer National University got its first victory at the expense of winless University of the East, 2-0.
Pritchill Evans Pascual and Ivan Arriesgado scored in the 66th and 82nd minutes, respectively.
The Bulldogs improved to 1-1-4 for four points, while the Red booters remained in the bottom with a 0-5-1 slate for one point.
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