The College of St. Benilde and the University of the Philippines claimed opening wins in the first day of Ang Liga’s 19th season at the University of the Philippines football pitch last Sunday.
CSB got the ball rolling in the new season with a 3-0 drubbing of the University of Batangas. Captain Clyde Vitualla notched a hat trick for the Taft-based squad. Vitualla had two goals before the halftime break before slotting in his third at the 59th minute. “Dahil po sa teamwork talaga,” Vitualla said when quizzed on how he scored three. “Kasi hindi naman ako makakagoal kung walang teamwork.”
The second fixture of the day saw the University of the Philippines narrowly edge Mapua-Malayan Colleges, 1-0. Fonso Regino darted into the box in the dying minutes of the match to slot in the decider in the 90th minute. Mapua-Malayan keeper Larsen Marcelo had his hands full for majority of the second half after the Laguna-based side saw their numbers reduced to 10.
Cesar Bañez saw red after pulling back a UP attacker who was through on goal in the 75th minute. Despite the numerical advantage, UP was made to wait until Regino popped up at the last moment to seal the win.
“Lahat na tinuro ni coach sa training na apply namin,” Regino said. “May have been shaky pero sinasabi palagi ni coach kung hindi mananalo sa possession, sa puso ipapanalo.” Ang Liga is supported by FPJ Panday Bayanihan, Pantheon Holdings, Bootcamp and RAD Chameleon Sportswear.
Follow Ang Liga on their Facebook page for more updates and schedules for their upcoming matches.
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Photo captions:
(Photo credit: Paolo del Rosario/ Ang Liga)
UP fullback Fonso Regino celebrates the winning gogal against Mapua-Malayan Colleges at the University of the Philippines football pitch on August 13, 2023
CSB Captain Clyde Vitualla wheels away in celebration after scoring his third goal in a 3-0 win against the University of Batangas at the University of the Philippines football pitch on August 13, 2023
