ATENEO de Manila stayed atop the standings but University of the East (UE) sent a strong message in Season 79 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s football action recently at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Ateneo blanked De La Salle, 2-0, behind Julian Roxas in the 38th minute and rookie Sam Lim in stoppage time for a front-running 32 points and in the process booted out De La Salle from the Final Four for the first time in four years.
University of Santo Tomas (UST) booked the last semifinals berth after frustrating Far Eastern University (FEU), 2-1. Kenneth Tuzon delivered the Final Four-clinching goal in the 89th minute for the Tigers, who amassed 20 points to wind up in fourth place.
Mark Arranguez broke the ice in the 24th minute but FEU could not sustain the momentum. The Tamaraws found themselves at No. 3 with 22 points.
Ateneo and University of the Philippines (28 points) are 1-2 atop the table but the final standings would be determined by the result of the FEU-Ateneo and UST-De La Salle matches on the last day of eliminations on April 20 at Ateneo’s Moro Lorenzo Field.
The knockout semifinals begins on April 30 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
UE, meanwhile, edged Adamson University to end its campaign on a high note, with Krysler Opeña scoring the match’s only goal in the 82nd minute.
The Red Warriors closed out with three straight victories for 14 points at seventh place, but their season was marked by their upsets of Final Four-bound teams FEU and Ateneo.
For first-year Coach Fitch Florence Arboleda, there’s no way but up for the Red Warriors, who were champions in 2001.
“We are ready for next season. We will remain intact and that adds to our confidence,” Arboleda said. “We were near flawless in our last three matches, and that’s good news for us.”