Bation hat trick anchors UP's demolition of UST

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament Standings

Ateneo 24pts (+21GD)  

FEU 23pts (+20)

UP 22pts (+15)

UST 14 pts (-5)

DLSU 10pts (-10)

UE 8pts (-15)

AdU 3 (-26)

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

2 p.m. - Ateneo vs UE

4 p.m. - DLSU VS AdU

6:30 p.m. - FEU VS UP

Ramil Bation III scored a hattrick as University of the Philippines booked its Final Four ticket after a 6-1 victory against the University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Football on Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Field.

Bation, who scored all of his goals in the first half, led the was as the Fighting Maroons will make their second consecutive Final Four appearance as they seek to defend their crown.

On the other hand, UST’s loss meant that De La Salle University and University of the East still have a chance at the last spot in the Final Four.

UP head coach Popoy Clarino said the team’s goal before the season was to get into the semifinals, and with that done, the team will have more time to prepare for the semifinals.

“The target before the season was, of course, to get into the Final Four but when you enter the Final Four its a whole different game. So with us clinching the Final Four spot now, we can now focus more on getting better and more prepared for the Final Four. Hopefully we can keep the momentum going,” Clarino said.

Ralken Comla hit a perfectly-placed through ball to a prepared Ramil Bation III to draw first blood in the 17th minute.

Jarred Regis erased UP’s advantage in the 28th minute after lasering in a volley off a set piece.

However, the Fighting Maroons quickly reclaimed the lead, 2-1, in the 30th minute after captain Marc Tobias from a perfectly-time right-foot finish.

In the 40th minute, Bation nabbed a brace after exploiting Jose Abada’s mistake and extending UP’s lead to two.

Bation completed his hat trick two minutes later following a calmly-hit finish that found the back of the net.

After halftime, UP’s onslaught continued as Lorenz Tortona and Joses Azur delivered goals in the 49th and 54th minutes, respectively.

“We've always trusted Ramil with his ability. Even though he couldnt score in the first round, the work he puts in day in and day out is very vital to the performance of the team. He's a fantastic player and also a very good friend,” Clarino on hat trick hero Bation.

UP clinched third place with 22 points on a plus-15 goal difference, while UST are still in the Final Four hunt at fourth with 14 points on minus-5 GD.

UP will face Far Eastern University at the same Diliman field on Thursday, Nov. 28 at 7 p.m.

UST needs to win its next game against Ateneo on Sunday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. to clinch the last Final Four spot.