Rookie Joseph Garces powered the University of the Philippines (UP) to its first victory in the UAAP Season 87 collegiate men’s football tournament, delivering a commanding 3-0 dismantling of Adamson University on Thursday, October 3, at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
After suffering a season-opening loss against University of Santo Tomas, UP started strong in this match.
Garces, a product of Don Bosco, successfully converted a set-piece with an assist from Liam Lampayan early in the fourth minute, marking the Fighting Maroons’ first goal of the season.
Building on their momentum, Season 86 Rookie of the Year Ramil Bation doubled UP’s lead in the 81st minute.
Florenz Tacardon then added a header in stoppage time, solidifying their advantage and securing a comfortable win for the Maroons.
After the match, Fighting Maroons head coach Popoy Clarino expressed his satisfaction with the result, stating, “It’s really good to have the boys get back on track. It’s a long road, and we want to take it one game at a time. Right before the season started, we lost Francis Tacardon, but regardless of that, ang lagi naming sinasabi sa kanila, it’s always an opportunity for one person to step up. To be the leader of the team, anyone can be the leader; it just takes guts and courage to become one.”
Clarino also praised Garces’ performance, saying, “Joseph played the way we wanted him to play. He’s a rookie, but given the exposure and time, he could be one of our main players here in the university.”
With this victory, the defending champions entered the win column, securing three points and a plus-2 goal difference.
UP will aim to extend its winning streak when it faces Ateneo de Manila University on October 10 at 6:30 p.m.
In contrast, the Soaring Falcons struggled to control the ball in the first half, with any chances of scoring being thwarted by the hardworking UP keeper, Fonsi Gonzales.
Despite their efforts, Adamson could not find their rhythm.
John Sabualan had a chance to even the score for the Falcons in the second half, but his free-kick went off target, failing to convert their opportunity.
As a result, Adamson remains at the bottom of the standings with zero points and a minus-eight goal difference.
Adamson will seek to secure its first win of the season as it takes on University of the East on Sunday, October 6 at 7:00 p.m. (ABS-CBN News)