Alcantara Exciting Copa Paulino Alcantara Group B action between UP and Pilipinas Dragons FC. Photo courtesy of John Mauricio

Tobias delivers winner for UP

August 11, 2023 Theodore P. Jurado 508 views

MARC Tobias produced the late winner as University of the Philippines escaped past the Pilipinas Dragons, 2-1, in Group B action of the Copa Paulino Alcantara Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Jan Caraig opened the scoring for the Dragons in the 26th minute before the Fighting Maroons leveled five minutes later courtesy of Ramil Bation III.

Tobias then delivered in the first minute of stoppage time, as the midfielder was at the right place at the right time to chip the ball in to the back of the net for UP to gain full points.

The latest triumph puts the Fighting Maroons on top of the Group B table with six points, while the Dragons remain at second with three points.

In Group A, Club de Futbol Manila banked on a late equalizer from substitute Jose Alon to force a 10-man Far Eastern University to a 1-1 stalemate.

Sherwin Basindahan fired a volley in the first 42 seconds of the match to put the Tamaraws on top.

However, FEU went a man down on the stroke of half-time as substitute Khent Valenzuela was given a direct red card after a hard foul on Mahmoud Ali.

The Tamaraws were poised for the victory until Alon nailed a header past Jetrick Fabrigas for CF Manila to snatch a draw.

The result solidified CF Manila’s top spot in Group A with 10 points, while FEU improved to two points and sit at fourth place.

Action resumes today at the same Malate venue, as Philippines Football League holders Kaya FC-Iloilo plays old rivals Loyola FC at 5:30 p.m.

Maharlika Manila takes on Manila Digger in Group B at 3 p.m., while Davao Aguilas UMak FC and Mendiola FC 1991 collide at 8 p.m.

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