Joaquin Collo continued his impressive run, assisting on both goals in De La Salle University’s 2–0 win over the University of the East to send his side to the top of the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament on Thursday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
The former Ateneo de Manila University recruit found his finishers in either half as La Salle moved into solo possession of the lead with six points and a plus-five goal difference, just ahead of idle Far Eastern University, University of the Philippines, and Adamson University.
Adamson will have a chance to join La Salle at the top of the standings when it takes on Ateneo de Manila University later in the evening.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Collo spotted Marlou Gaverza’s run from the flank in the eighth minute, setting up the go-ahead goal and giving the Green Booters an early boost.
The midfielder then showed composure inside the box in the 53rd minute, tapping the ball into the path of substitute Lance Locsin, who made no mistake in converting the insurance goal.
Despite the victory, head coach Richard Leyble wants to see more determination from his wards as they look to build on their return to the Final Four last season.
“For me, today, maybe we didn’t play well with our preparations. I don’t know what happened, but it’s still a win eh. It’s still three points,” he said.
“But still, we’re still focused on what we prepared for this tournament [and] for this season with what we learned from last season. So I told my players to always focus on every game, kung ano yung objectives namin para [for] this tournament,” said the second-year mentor.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
La Salle will try to remain atop the standings when it faces FEU in Sunday’s triple-header opener at 2:00 PM.
On the other hand, the Red Warriors can take pride in their defensive effort after conceding just two goals against the Green Booters, following their disappointing 0–10 defeat to the Tamaraws last Sunday.
UE had a huge chance to score its first goal of the season, but Francis Maturan’s attempt in the 58th minute sailed over the bar.
The Red Warriors remained in seventh place with a second straight defeat and a minus-12 goal difference. They will take on the Soaring Falcons on Sunday at 7:00 PM.
