UAAP football: UP men’s title bid alive, nips ’08 champ FEU

MANILA, Philippines – University of the Philippines kept its title hopes alive after winning over defending champion Far Eastern University, 2-1, Thursday in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s football finals at the Ateneo field. The Fighting Maroons earned another shot at a title when FEU’s Jake Hugo made an own goal after a UP corner kick in the 52nd minute. But UP coach Frank Muescan credited his team’s defense in forcing a rubber match for the men’s football crown on Tuesday at the Ateneo field. “We polished our defense in the back so that they can work as a unit because FEU is very dangerous on offense." UP’s Allan Jose Serna scored the game’s first goal in the 41st minute on a header off a Stephan Permanes corner kick. Jovanie Simpron tied the count for FEU with a short boot in the 52nd minute before Hugo’s own goal. FEU’s top scorer Francis Gustillo, however, was silent on offense and could only come close to tying the match after his free kick sailed wide in the 79th minute. The loss came after the Tamaraws went undefeated in the second round with a six-game winning streak. – GMANews.TV