MANILA – Defending champion Far Eastern University-Diliman defeated Ateneo de Manila University, 2-0, Wednesday night to remain unbeaten in the UAAP Season 87 boys’ football tournament at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

Striker Joerby Anito scored in the 48th minute, and substitute Jerriemy Biton delivered two minutes later as the Baby Tamaraws rolled to their third straight win to stay on top of the standings with nine points.

“Our game plan was to play directly to get behind their backline. I thought that if we did that, we'd have the advantage, (because) our attacking side is more eager and faster. We brought in fast players but then he was not utilized. There were chances but we just didn't score," FEU-D head coach Jake Morallo said after the match.

“But we planned for two sides there -- that we could also sustain our play from the first half. Even though there was no score, the boys still did it in the first half. In the second half, I think the adjustment was good, (and) there were early goals in the first five minutes," he added.

Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas clobbered Claret School of Quezon City, 5-1, while De La Salle Zobel downed PAREF Southridge, 1-0.

The win sent UST to second place with a goal difference of +7, followed by La Salle (+2).

The Junior Golden Booters took a 3-0 lead at halftime, with midfielder Yuan Maniscan scoring in the 31st and 40th minutes, and Joshua Moleje scoring in the 37th minute.

Claret made it 1-3 after Rolando John Torres scored in the 59th minute. But UST managed to score two more goals coming from substitute Joshua Balliner in the 82nd minute and Argos Phrixus Alingalan in stoppage time (90+2).

“That's what the boys are waiting for, someone who can score first. When the first goal isn't there yet, they aren't quite as relaxed in the game and everyone hasn't worked very well yet," UST assistant coach David Basa said. "But once Yuan scored, we're a bit relaxed, we're holding the ball a bit and we're attacking a bit."

Geoffrey Marqueses, a product of Villamor Air Base Elementary School, scored La Salle's lone goal from close range.

“This is the battle of Muntinlupa, right? I think both teams prepared well, and you can see it was a 50/50 game, especially in the first half. We got chances and were able to score one. They had chances but were not able to score," said La Salle’s Ghanaian head coach Ayi Nii Aryee.

"Our objective for the second half was if we don’t get to score, then they don’t get to score.”

Meanwhile, FEU-D will go for win No. 4 on Saturday against DLSZ at 2 p.m.; UST will face Ateneo at 4:30 p.m.; and CSQC faces Southridge at 7 p.m. (PNA)