DEFENDING champion Far Eastern University-Diliman stamped its class over La Salle-Zobel, 3-1, to keep an unblemished slate after the first round of the UAAP high school football tournament Sunday night at the UP Football Field in Diliman.

The Junior Archers drew first blood in scoring but the Baby Tamaraws turned the heat with Christian Lajot’s brace to improve to a maximum of nine points.

Lajot also delivered the equalizer in the 33rd marker before following it up with a neat finish in the 57th minute that FEU-Diliman the upper hand.

Arvin Alayon’s tap-in in the 74th minute sealed the Baby Tamaraws’ full points.

“I think the boys responded well (after) going down,” FEU coach Vince Santos said.

“We were able to come out on top. I think in the second half, we played much better than in the first half.”

It was Justin Concepcion who opened the scoring with three minutes gone by for La Salle-Zobel, which will enter the second round in second place with six points.

Earlier, the University of Santo Tomas got its first win of the season at the expense of Ateneo, 6-1.

Dominic Tom and Rodrigo Marinas scored twice, while Kent John Bacolocos and Kristien Elopre also entered the scoresheet for the Tiger Cubs.

James del Valle produced the Blue Eagles’ lone goal of the match.