Archrivals Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University played to a thrilling 1-1 draw in a high-stakes UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament clash on Thursday night at the UP Football Stadium.
Kofi Agyei’s perseverance paid off in the 80th minute when he scored the equalizer, allowing the Blue Eagles to salvage a crucial point.
Ateneo now sits third with 15 points, level with idle University of Santo Tomas, but ahead on goal difference.
Agyei had earlier chances to score: in the 58th minute, he missed, and goalkeeper Jason Salavante denied his rebound. He also had a clear opportunity for an early header just seven minutes into the match, but the shot struck the post.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For La Salle, rookie James Sibla opened the scoring in the 32nd minute. Sibla had also scored for the Green Booters in the first round, which similarly ended in a 1-1 draw on 5 October 2025.
Salavante made a brilliant save on Alfonso Aljama’s 57th-minute strike from the edge of the box, preserving the Green Booters’ lead.
Ateneo nearly snatched the win after Agyei’s goal, but substitute John Karol Molina’s 82nd-minute attempt hit the crossbar.
“We started slow, which is why we conceded a goal,” Blue Eagles head coach JP Merida said. “Overall, we had a lot of chances, but we hit the post, especially that rebound from Kofi.
“We did really well, but we need to move forward from this as both teams are chasing the top four. So we’re not really secure. We need to move forward, and we need to hope for our game against UST on Sunday.”
Ateneo defender Miguel Bengson left early in the first half with an apparent hamstring injury.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
La Salle, meanwhile, failed to earn the full points needed to strengthen its Final Four bid. The Green Booters, now fifth with 10 points, trail the Blue Eagles and the Golden Booters by five points.
Ateneo will face UST at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday at the same Diliman venue, while La Salle cannot afford to drop points against defending champion Far Eastern University at 7 p.m. on Sunday.
“Both teams played well, and both teams wanted to win,” said Green Booters head coach Richard Leyble. “That is also why Ateneo scored late.
“Of course, we must win all the remaining games; how to fix this team to boost their morale, that’s our focus now. We go back to training to prepare for the next match, and we need to train hard. We need to play hard also.”
With the draw, the Tamaraws’ formal entry into the Final Four has been delayed. -TJ
