It was not the happiest of endings for the University of the Philippines (UP) Men’s Football Team (MFT), as the Maroons were bested by the Adamson University Soaring Falcons in their first-round finale on Sunday, Oct. 25, at the UP Diliman Football Field.
Now with a 3-2-1 slate, the defending champions are currently third in the standings with 11 points and a +2 goal difference.
Wearing the crown has never come without its share of challenges. With every contender looking to take its place, the UP MFT now faces the task of regaining its rhythm and raising its level of play, one game at a time.
Targets on backs, backs against the wall
The Fighting Maroons are no stranger to title defenses, having previously carried the same distinction in Season 87, where they lost their crown to eventual champions Far Eastern University (FEU) in the semifinals.
Marked targets once again, State U opened its title defense this season against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Booters. The game remained deadlocked until last season’s standouts, defender Josh Meriño and forward Ramil Bation III, found the back of the net to lift the team to an encouraging opening win.
The Diliman-based squad then welcomed Katipunan rivals Ateneo to its stomping ground, falling behind early to a Keanno Guerrero wonder strike before Bation’s second-half free kick ensured both teams finished the game on equal terms.
Facing the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors next, Bation remained a consistent contributor to UP’s offense, netting his third goal in as many games to score the fixture’s lone goal.
With the ghosts of Season 87 looming, the Diliman-based squad was determined not to let history repeat itself.
“Last year, we were able to get back the championship because every day, every training, [we had] different objectives individually and as a group. We wanted to make sure that [in] every training we hit our objectives, we gain and we strive to improve. It’s all about setting standards,” Clarino said in an interview with Tinig ng Plaridel as he looked back on the team’s approach last season.
Next for UP were last season’s finals opponents, the similarly struggling FEU Tamaraws, who were eager to avenge their loss in the previous championship clash.
The Maroons took the lead early through Joses Azur, but quickly fell behind to goals from the Morayta-based squad’s McJay Neniel and Stephen Soria. Cian Galsim came to the rescue midway through the second half, delivering a corner flag-to-net olimpico to equalize and bring relief once more to the Diliman faithful.
State U then faced a resurgent De La Salle University side, holding firm in the first half before substitute Joseph Garces prodded home Bation’s cross past the Taft-based squad’s keeper Iñigo Castro to seal their third win of the season.
UP had met and equaled most of the title hopefuls, but its dreams of a back-to-back trophy, a feat it last accomplished in Season 74, suffered a blow as the final whistle sounded in its first round-ender.
The loss to Adamson marked the nadir of a frustrating campaign for the Maroons, who had so far struggled to restore the magic of last season, when they concluded the first round with five wins and a draw.
UP MFT head coach Popoy Clarino acknowledged the team’s shortcomings while commending Adamson for their performance.
“We were very sloppy and they capitalized on our mistakes. [Adamson] deserved to get the three points, and they’re the team to beat for the second round,” Clarino told TNP.
With the lingering memory of the team’s last failed title defense, Clarino remains focused on rebuilding the Maroons’ title defense one step at a time. Despite a tougher road ahead, the two-time title-winning coach believes that the team has what it takes to lift itself back up.
“For the second round, we want to take it one game at a time, slowly build up momentum, and hopefully we get to have a slot in the Final Four,” he said.
Advantaged Adamson
State U entered its final match of the first round in high spirits, carrying an unblemished record after dealing the DLSU Green Booters their first loss of the season earlier that week.
Standing in its way, however, was season surprise Adamson, who sat two points above UP in the standings and welcomed head coach Darlton Digha back into the dugout.
Having taken the league by storm, the underdog-turned-heavyweight Soaring Falcons started the match on the front foot, peppering the goal of Fonzy Gonzales with shots.
State U, boasting the league’s best defense but struggling in the attacking department, forced Adamson’s keeper CJ Lauron into a save at his near post as both teams went into the half level.
With the game heating up, the San Marcelino-based squad struck first through attacker Marlon Dasig, who combined with Golike Doko to curl a shot past Gonzalez in the 70th minute to put the Falcons ahead.
Wounded but determined, UP retorted just two minutes later as Jian Caraig’s cross set up substitute Joses Azur for a close-range equalizer.
State U forward Joses Azur (center) celebrates with his teammates after equalizing against Adamson. Photo by the UAAP Season 89 Media Team
But the Falcons were not done yet as Doko and Dasig linked up once again, with the latter converting the former’s cross to restore Adamson’s lead with just five minutes to play.
With its unbeaten run hanging in balance, State U could not recreate last season’s late heroics as the blue-and-white shirts held on to secure their fifth win of the season and finish the first round atop the standings.
Despite the setback, Clarino refused to fixate on the result, turning his attention instead to how the team will respond and improve moving forward.
“We just need to set [our] standards higher. Right now, we’re way below the standards we are hoping for,” the shotcaller said.
UP MFT will begin its second-round journey with a Katipunan face-off against the Ateneo Blue Eagles today, Nov. 5, at the UP Diliman Football Field.
