The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons found their groove in the second half en route to a 2-0 win over Adamson University in the UAAP Season 86 men’s football tournament at the UP Football Stadium on Thursday, March 21.

With the result, UP earned a share of first place in the league table along with idle Far Eastern University, with both teams having 15 points.

The Tamaraws have a superior goal difference (+9) over the Fighting Maroons (+4).

Francis Tacardon turned in a corner from Angelo Pagdanganan in the 52nd minute to put UP ahead, and Ramil Bation III doubled their advantage 20 minutes later off a fine pass from Jan Caraig.

Bation hiked his tally this season to six goals, tying Ateneo’s Kofi Agyei and La Salle’s Isaac Anoh.

Tacardon, meanwhile, now has three goals.

“Of course, our goal is to improve every game,” UP coach Popoy Clariño said.

“Coming from our last game against Adamson, our second half was a bit shaky.”

“That’s what we wanted to improve on this game, and yes, we were rewarded [with] two goals because of those improvements and adjustments,” he added.

Adamson was resolute on defense in the first half and managed to keep the Fighting Maroons at bay in the early goings of the second.

UP had a chance to break the ice just two minutes after the restart, but Bation’s header was deflected by the Falcons’ hardworking keeper Nalog.

Adamson remained at the bottom of the standings with two points.

UP will next face De La Salle University on April 7.

The Falcons, meanwhile, will take on the Green Booters when the league resumes on April 4 after the Lenten break. (ABS-CBN News)