UAAP: Tobias nets twice in UP's triumph vs. UE

Action between UP and UE in the UAAP Season 87 men's football tournament, November 3, 2024 at the UP Diliman Football Stadium. UAAP MediaMANILA -- Skipper Macky Tobias grabbed a brace to power University of the Philippines to a 4-1 triumph against the University of the East in the UAAP Season 87 men's football tournament, Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

The Fighting Maroons improved to 13 points with a plus-8 goal difference.

Rookies Joseph Garces and Joses Azur also found the back of the net as UP completed an elimination round sweep of the Red Warriors.

"We wanted to get a good start to gain momentum. We ended the last round with a win, so this second round, we want to build consistency and momentum," said UP head coach Popoy Clarino. "We are already in that stage where teams are neck-and-neck and a slip-up can be a setback. We have to move forward, and we have to set higher standards for our team every game."

Garces opened the scoring just on the ninth minute, completing a team goal that also involved CJ Donato and Cian Galsim.

Joses Azur missed two good chances but Tobias was there to pad UP's lead with quickfire goals in the 87th and 89th. UE pulled back a goal in second-half added time through John Magallon, but Azur finally broke through to complete the scoring.

The Fighting Maroons will seek its third straight win when it faces the so-far unbeaten Ateneo Blue Eagles on Sunday at 2 p.m., still at the same Diliman venue.

The Red Warriors were forced to play with 10 men after Daniel Cabacungan was sent off in the 66th minute.

UE remained at 7 points and a minus-8 GD and will look to snap this skid against the De La Salle Green Booters later that day at 7 p.m.