Garces brace tows UP to victory

c/o UAAP

Men's Matches on Thursday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium

4 p.m. – Adamson vs DLSU

6:30 p.m. – UST vs FEU

Joseph Garces scored twice to propel University of the Philippines past University of the East 3-0 to regain its winning ways in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament on Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

Garces, a rookie from Don Bosco Technology Center - Cebu, scored UP’s second goal in the game with a header in the 52nd minute and secured a brace in the 64th minute, which completed the rout for the Fighting Maroons.

“Siyempre excited knowing that we have three points in three games and we really needed to win,” said Garces. “Yung win namin, we’ll use it as a boost in our coming games lalo na next game we’re against FEU."

Earlier in the match, Jan Ceena Donato was quick to open the floodgates for the Fighting Maroons in the first half, scoring as early as the second minute with a tap-in goal.

It was the perfect performance for UP, which played without its head coach Popoy Clarino, who missed his second straight game due to having to take care of his new baby.

“He’s sick,” shared by his brother and Fighting Maroons assistant Ojay. “Siguro, fatigue (dahil) wala siya masyado tulog dahil may newborn. Wala siya masyadong rest but he’s recovering. By next game, probably he’ll be there.”

UP is coming off a 0-2 loss to Ateneo last Thursday.

The Fighting Maroons have leapfrogged the De La Salle Green Booters to the fourth spot with six points and a +3 goal difference.

Up next for UP is a rematch of the Season 86 final against Far Eastern University this Sunday at 6:30 p.m. on the same pitch.

On the other hand, UE remained third in the standings with seven points and a -3 goal difference.

The Red Warriors were down to 10 men after defender Mur-Muamar Modin was dismissed for a bad challenge on Donato in the 35th minute.

Jam Rey Mariveles, who scored a brace against Adamson University last Sunday, was substituted due to injury in the 37th minute.

UE will have its last match of the first round against Ateneo de Manila University on October 24, 6:30 p.m. at the same venue.