Uriel Dalapo and Joaquin Collo scored as De La Salle University edged Far Eastern University, 2-1, in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament on Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Dalapo, who played for the Davao Aguilas in the Philippines Football League before joining La Salle, opened the scoring in the fifth minute after rounding FEU goalkeeper Jetrick Fabrigas and slotting the ball into the net.
The Green Booters doubled their lead in the 82nd minute when Collo continued his strong start to the season, heading home his second goal of the campaign.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“We’re grateful for them because they performed today unlike last game,” said La Salle head coach Richard Leyble after his team secured its third straight win. “I told Uri to recover from what you did last game, for you to inform everyone that you deserve to play there.”
The victory marked the Green Booters’ first win over the Tamaraws since the first round of Season 86. It also lifted La Salle to nine points, with a plus-six goal difference, at the top of the standings.
A “proud” Leyble added, “We learned from last year when we played against them. My players followed what we prepared against them.”
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
With La Salle seemingly in control, FEU pulled one back in stoppage time to end the Green Booters’ shutout streak. Tamaraws midfielder Karl Absalon converted a penalty past goalkeeper Iñigo Castro in the 90+6th minute.
Theo Libarnes had several opportunities to get FEU back into the match, but none of his attempts found the back of the net. The Tamaraws also suffered a setback when captain Selwyn Mamon was stretchered off the pitch with a suspected ankle injury and replaced by Joerby Anito.
FEU remained in third place with three points and a plus-nine goal difference, while University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University were facing off as of this writing.
Both La Salle and FEU will next face Adamson University at the same venue. The Tamaraws take on the Soaring Falcons on Thursday at 4:30 PM, while the Green Booters return on Sunday at 2:00 PM.
