Ateneo's Kofi Agyei celebrates after scoring against Adamson in the UAAP Season 88 men's football tournament, September 21, 2025 at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite. UAAP Media
MANILA -- Kofi Agyei made an emphatic return to UAAP competition on Sunday, powering Ateneo de Manila University to a 3-0 romp over Adamson University in their first game of the Season 88 men's football tournament.
Agyei, who missed Season 87 due to a combination of injury and academic commitments, grabbed a brace in his first game back at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite.
Dov Cariño set up the Ghanaian forward for the opener in the 38th minute, before heading home his second goal in the 82nd minute to complete the scoring.
In between Agyei's goals, Cariño — a national U23 standout and newly appointed team captain — also found the back of the net with a stunning free kick that beat Falcons goalkeeper Sean Chua in the 64th minute, doubling Ateneo's lead.
For coach JP Merida, seeing his dynamic duo combine effectively in the season opener is an encouraging sign for the Blue Eagles' campaign.
"Going into this game, I was confident that both of them would combine," said the three-time champion mentor. "My idea was that they would score. In my view, I thought Dov would have scored the first goal, but of course, Kofi did well. We're happy because Dov and Kofi's combination upfront is amazing. It's a good start for us."
Ateneo will continue its campaign on Sunday when it faces University of the East at 4 p.m. at the same Imus venue.
Meanwhile, Adamson was left to rue missed opportunities that could have altered the game's outcome. The Soaring Falcons created chaos in the Blue Eagles' box, culminating in a goal-line clearance by Ateneo midfielder Marcus Arias.
Roberto Roldan and Cameroonian winger Golike Dany Doko also had chances on goal, but neither could find the back of the net.
Adamson will look to bounce back against University of Santo Tomas this Thursday at 4:30 p.m. at Vermosa.