UAAP football: Cariño brace propels Ateneo past UE for breakthrough win

MANILA — Dov Cariño bagged a brace to power Ateneo de Manila University to a 2-1 win over University of the East — their first triumph over the UAAP Season 89 men’s football tournament. 

The Red Warriors had taken the early lead in their match at the UP Diliman Football Stadium on Thursday, with Mark Maghinay finding the back of the net in the 11th minute.

But they could not hold on to their advantage, as Cariño equalized in the 66th minute then put Ateneo ahead with another goal 12 minutes later, heading home off a free kick to seal the win.

Ateneo’s Dov Cariño in action against UE in the UAAP Season 89 men’s football tournament, October 22, 2026 at the UP Diliman Football Stadium. UAAP Media“It was a not-so-good start for us. In the first five minutes, we were really good, but after that UE controlled the ball; that’s why we conceded the goal at first,” said Ateneo head coach JP Merida.

“Coming from the second half a lot of adjustments were made, a lot of substitutions that why we scored the two goals. It was a very clinical finish from Dov,” he added.

Despite the victory, Ateneo remained sixth in the standings with four points, level with Far Eastern University but behind on goal difference at -5.

The Blue Eagles will look to build on their momentum when they face FEU on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. at the same venue to close out the first round.

Meanwhile, UE ended its first-round campaign with another defeat, extending its winless streak to 15 matches.

The Red Warriors remained at the bottom of the standings in seventh place with zero points and a -20 goal difference.