UAAP: Garces, Bation power UP past Ateneo

MANILA — Josh Garces and Ramil Bation both grabbed a brace to send defending champion University of the Philippines to a 4-2 win over Ateneo de Manila University, Thursday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

The result kept UP in third place in the UAAP Season 89 men’s football tournament with 14 points, tied with La Salle. The Green Archers have the superior goal difference, however, of plus-13 to UP’s plus-four.

The Blue Eagles drew first blood in the 21st minute off team captain Dov Cariño, but gave up three unanswered goals to UP.

Garces, a third-year striker from Don Bosco Cebu, kick-started the Fighting Maroons’ comeback with the equalizer in the 37th minute before doubling their advantage in the 53rd.

Bation, meanwhile, scored both of his goals off free kicks. The first — a direct attempt that took a slight deflection — gave the hosts their second goal in the 41st minute, while his second came on a rebound in the 79th to put the game beyond Ateneo’s reach.

Renz Partosa had pulled one back for the Blue Eagles in the 69th minute before Bation bagged his brace.

“The good thing about this is that we found the back of the net four times, the team responded well to the pressure. It was a better performance to start the second round and we hope that we stay consistent for the next five games,” said head coach Popoy Clarino.

Cariño threatened again late in the match, but substitute Andres Dumlao came up with a crucial stop to deny his cross.

Ateneo remained in seventh place with four points, slipping to a minus-eight goal difference.