Carino brace sparks Ateneo opener

c/o UAAP

Women's Football Matches Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium

4 p.m. — DLSU vs UST

6:30 p.m. — UP vs Ateneo

With their originally scheduled opener washed out, Ateneo de Manila University rode on a returnee to impress on their first completed game of their campaign at the UAAP Season 87 Men's Football Tournament.

Dov Cariño contributes a brace to the Blue Eagles' 3-1 victory over Adamson on Thursday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

After being held out last season due to academic issues, it only took him 36 minutes to get into the groove, receiving the ball from Leo Maquiling and easily sending a well-place strike into the net.

Although the Soaring Falcons would find the equalizer in first half stoppage time off a Marlon Dasig penalty conversion, the former member of the Azkals Development Team would tack on his second in the 66th minute, to restore the lead for the Blue Eagles.

Ryan Lim would score an insurance goal in the 84th minute to ensure the three points.

Ateneo head coach JP Merida shares about their win, "Of course, this is the objective, to get the first three points. I'm happy because my players played really well... We were ready for Adamson's transitions. In the first half, we struggled, especially in the first 15 minutes when most of my players were erratic and panicking. Good thing, in the second half, they regained their composure, and that's why we scored two goals."

He adds about Cariño, "Kung makikita natin si Dov, he's very excited. During our preparation for this season, talagang kitang-kita yung excitement niya. He scored a lot of goals and palagi siya nandun sa action. Yun yung magandang nangyari."

The Blue Eagles secure their first win of the season after their initial opener against rivals La Salle was washed out on Sunday night.

Adamson drops to the cellar after losing their first two assignments of the campaign.

The league will press pause on the season and will resume action on October 3, as the Philippines is set to participate in the AFC U-20 Qualifiers.