The UP Fighting Maroons celebrate a goal against UST in the UAAP Season 88 men's football tournament, October 16, 2025 at the UP Diliman Football Stadium in Quezon City. UAAP Media
MANILA -- University of the Philippines will end the first round of the UAAP Season 88 men's football tournament at the top of the league table.
This, after the Fighting Maroons edged the University of Santo Tomas, 2-1, on Thursday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium to stay unbeaten.
They finished the first round with 16 points and a goal difference of +6, tallying five wins and one draw.
"It was a collective effort from everyone," said UP head coach Popoy Clarino. "When we're defending, everyone is at the back. We defended against 11 players, so the players were consistently helping one another and covering one another. I'm happy to see that kind of game."
But UP had to battle back from a one-goal deficit after the Golden Booters struck first through Kent Dela Peña, who converted off a perfectly-timed through ball from Rodrigo Mariñas in the 38th minute.
UST's lead didn't last long, however, with UP equalizing just before halftime after Benz Samaniego took advantage of a chaotic sequence that saw UST keeper Kyler Escobar denying two attempts from the Fighting Maroons.
Third time was the charm for UP, as Samaniego pounced on the rebound to slot home the equalizer in the 45th minute.
Third-year midfielder Ramil Bation III then delivered the go-ahead goal in the 54th minute.
The 21-year-old’s shot ricocheted off the post before bouncing back into play and across the goal line, handing the Fighting Maroons the advantage for good.
UST nearly found a late equalizer in stoppage time when Chris Valderama broke free inside the box, but UP goalkeeper Fonzy Gonzales produced a crucial save to preserve the victory.
"We'll try to take it game-by-game and improve our game bit-by-bit as we prepare for the next round," added Clarino.
With the loss, UST remains in fifth place with five points and a -1 goal difference.
The Golden Booters will aim to finish their first-round campaign on a high note when they face the University of the East on Sunday at 6:30 p.m., once again at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.