UP defeats Ateneo to win UAAP 78 men’s football title

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – University of the Philippines returned to the top of UAAP men’s football with a 4-1 victory over Ateneo de Manila University to capture the Season 78 championship on Thursday, May 5 at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The win earns the Fighting Maroons their first UAAP men’s title since winning back-to-back championships in Seasons 73 and 74, and adds to the UAAP women’s title UP won earlier in the day over De La Salle University. Ateneo was denied its first men’s title since Season 75.

UP rookie Kintaro Miyagi dominated the match, scoring goals in the 28th, 70th and 80th minutes for the championship game hat trick. The other UP goal was scored by Daniel Gadia in the 34th minute over the head of Ateneo goalkeeper Ken James.

Another angle of @KintaroMiyagi4‘s goal pic.twitter.com/qcwaejH6n8

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) May 5, 2016

Ateneo captain Mikko Mabanag scored his side’s only goal after a 36th minute free kick slipped through the legs of UP goalkeeper Ace Villanueva.

The championship double comes as a bright spot for UP, which dedicated its titles to Rogie Maglinas, the men’s player who died earlier this year following a battle with cancer.

The UAAP Season 78 Mythical XI was announced afterwards, with Sebastian Patangan and Francisco Santos of the UP squad earning recognitions, joined by Chy Villasenor and Paolo Bugas of Far Eastern University, Gerald Layumas, Raphael De Guzman, Noel Brago and Darius Diamante of De La Salle University, plus Lawrence Colina and Paolo Salenga of National University, and Mashu Yoshioka of Ateneo.

Diamante was named Rookie of the Year while Daniel Gadia was named Most Valuable Player.– Rappler.com