UAAP Football: UP clinches twice to beat behind Ayi Nii Aryee

Ghanaian Ayi Nii Aryee took charge as the defending men’s champion University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons trounced the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers 2-0, giving UP their third finals appearance in four years, in the UAAP Season 74 men's football tournament at the Ocampo field inside the Ateneo de Manila University campus, Wednesday. Ayi scored in the 10th and 51st minute to power the Maroons to victory, while keeping their record clean in the second round. With the win, UP took control of the first seed in the standings, gaining a twice-to-beat advantage after amassing a total of 19 points on a 5-4-0 win-draw-loss record. The Maroons won despite the absence of ace striker and reigning MVP Jinggoy Valmayor, who was given two yellow cards in their last game, which led to his second suspension of the season. Ayi Nii Aryee however, also accumulated two yellow cards during the game, meaning he incurs a suspension for Sunday's non-bearing game against UE. Meanwhile, the Growling Tigers remained in the second spot with 15 points on a 4-3-2, win-draw-loss slate.