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| Raphael Resuma comes clutch in the second half as UP takes a crucial win in their Diliman Derby. |
MANILA -- Defending UAAP champions UP nabbed a crucial win when they defeat FEU by the slimmest of scorelines in a crucial Diliman derby to end Saturday's tripleheader tonight at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Second half substitute Raphael Resuma nabbed the crucial strike that separated the two sides in a testy and highly emotional fixture that saw the Fighting Maroons overtake the Tamaraw on goal difference after tying them on 18 points after nine matches.
The opening half came with guns blazing for both sides as they match themselves on both ends of the pitch, displaying the speed and the skill unprecedented between the two favorites for the title.
It was a pretty even affair for both schools with chances that went close to go in, but it was the Fighting Maroons that first agonizingly came close in the 33rd minute, as Lou Rafanan blasts an empty net shot over the bar that sent raucous howls into the gallery that had the Lady Maroons supporting them.
Eight minutes later, Kintaro Miyagi unleashed a dazzling run after a long ball that beat two FEU defenders but his shot went inches wide of the right post, as they take the break with a pair of goose eggs on the board.
The physicality of the match continued at the restart in which everything was on the line to keep in step with each other.
Resuma came on in at the hour mark, and only took five minutes to make an instant impact, poking on the ball past Ray Joyel after Jeremiah Borlongan picked him out after a blistering run in the left wing.
After that, the Fighting Maroons came close to double their lead twice, as Kyle Magdato chipped his effort wide to the right of the empty net in the 78th minute, followed by Borlongan's free kick that rocked the crossbar five minutes later.
Eventually, UP kept their nerve in dying moments, sending their supporters home in a joyous frenzy.
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