After losing the crown back in Season 87, the University of the Philippines Men’s Football Team (UP MFT) has established itself as a force to be reckoned with this Season 88 after sweeping the first round of eliminations and sitting atop the league’s standings.
While boasting a slate of five wins and one draw, the Fighting Maroons remain vigilant, retaining their hunger to improve even on the smallest things as the second round of eliminations fast approaches.
Simply unstoppable
Kicking off their campaign without head coach Popoy Clariño and captain Charles Lobitaña, who served suspensions due to a melee from last year’s semifinals, the Fighting Maroons came up with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over the University of the East Red Warriors courtesy of a header from Ramil Bation III.
They immediately followed up with a 3-1 statement win against their rivals and defending champions Far Eastern University Tamaraws, before splitting points with defensive powerhouse De La Salle University Green Booters, who managed to hold them out on a scoreless draw.
Brothers Jian and Adri Caraig pulled through for the squad in their homecoming win at the UP Diliman Football Stadium, where they managed to escape the Adamson Soaring Falcons in 1-0 fashion despite sudden roster changes in their flu-stricken lineup.
Regaining momentum, the Diliman-based crew took care of business in the Battle of Katipunan against the Ateneo Blue Eagles in a heartstopping 3-2 finish, with Lorenz Tortona, Liam Lampayan and newcomer Rehmat Sidhu registering their first goals of the season to shoot down last season’s finalists.
State U capped off the first round with a comeback against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Booters, with rookie Benz Samaniego equalizing the match with his first goal in the collegiate ranks and Bation III ticking off his third of the season for a decisive 2-1 victory.
In their closing bout of the first round, Clariño praised the teamwork displayed by his stalwarts that was essential to bounce back from a 0-1 deficit.
“It was a collective effort from everyone. When we’re defending, everyone is back there, we defend with 11 players. When we attack, we attack with 11 players, so players are constantly supporting one another,” said the tactician.
He expressed satisfaction with the chemistry his squad has been building and how everyone is stepping up, regardless of being a freshman or a senior.
Heads up, feet down
After achieving a spotless record for the round, Clariño reiterates the team’s approach of being locked in at the present and building towards the bigger picture.
“We take it one game at a time,” said the coach. “We look to improve every game, get better and serve the UP community.”
Speechless about their first round sweep, Lobitaña remains stern of the team’s goal for this year, a callback to his statement before the season started.
“I believe na kaya namin, […] mag-champion, yun yung number one [priority] talaga sa UAAP, mag-champion,” the captain said during their Athletes of Diliman interview with Tinig ng Plaridel last September.
WATCH: Athletes of Diliman – Tinig ng Plaridel interviews the UP Men’s Football Team
By enjoying the moment, the Bukidnon-based local ensures there is no place for complacency as they continue their quest for gold.
“Paa palagi sa lupa. And then trabaho lang kami nang maayos.”
While going back to the drawing board to look for more adjustments, Clariño and his boys are confident as they look to be better in the upcoming fixtures.
“[We look to] improve the things [needed] to cover, make sure the small details get ticked off the box and we look forward for a good second round,” Clariño said.
Heading into the latter half of the elimination phase, the UP MFT has more to fight for with the top two seeds claiming a twice-to-beat incentive into the Final Four, an advantage last implemented for the tournament in Season 76.
UP currently occupies the top spot with 16 points and a +6 Goal Difference (GD) in six matches. FEU took solo second with 14 points while Ateneo and UST placed third and fourth with 11 points and a +6 and +2 GD, respectively, after their second round openers last October 26.
The Maroon shirts resume action at the pitch as they seek to repeat over the skidding Red Warriors on Thursday, Oct. 30, at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
