John Lester Carandang scored a late brace to help University of the East (UE) extend its three-match unbeaten run in the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Football Tournament with a 3-1 victory over Adamson University at the University of the Philippines-Diliman Football Field on Sunday, February 26.

Carandang, who came on as a substitute for Eldin Madrid in the 77th minute, scored from close range in the 81st minute to set the Red Warriors on their way to victory. The Batangas native then doubled UE’s cushion in the 85th minute to seal all three points for the Recto school.

“‘Yung last game kasi namin against FEU [Far Eastern University]. Sinasabi ko na sa last minutes ng games ‘yung subs, kasi dapat may impact,” coach Fitch Arboleda said after UE remained on top of the table with seven points.

“Siguro tumatak naman sa isip nung bata ‘pag binigyan ng chance maglaro. Talagang, luckily, ‘yung timing pag-sub namin, on-time talaga. Naka-dalawang sunod ‘yung bata. Talagang nag-trabaho ‘yung bata nang maayos,” he said.

Earlier in the first half, it was the Red Warriors who drew first blood, thanks to Nikko Palacio’s free kick in the 16th minute.

The Soaring Falcons managed to level the game in the 34th minute, thanks to Darlton Digha’s penalty, but they failed to add to their tally thanks to impressive saves by UE goalkeeper Lance Bencio.

“Nag-trabaho lang din talaga kami nang maayos. ‘Yung target kasi talaga namin tonight, pag-start ng game ay kunin namin ‘yung three points para at least hindi kami mahihirapan talaga, since ‘yung susunod naming games mas mahirap pa siya,” Arboleda said.

Both schools will return to action this Sunday, March 5 at the same venue. Adamson will go up against De La Salle University at 4:00 p.m. while UE (seven points) will take on Ateneo de Manila University at 6:00 p.m. (ABS-CBN News)