For the first time since Season 85, De La Salle University is back in the semifinals of the UAAP Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament — and rookie forward John Gaverza was the spark that reignited their campaign.
The 20-year-old striker delivered a two-goal masterclass against the University of the Philippines last Sunday, guiding the Green Booters to a 2-1 victory that not only punched their ticket to the Final Four of Season 88 but also ended UP’s 11-match unbeaten streak.
La Salle faced a daunting task heading into the final elimination round. Their opponent, the undefeated Fighting Maroons, had dominated the standings for most of the season.
But Gaverza rose to the occasion, opening the scoring with a 17th-minute header before doubling the lead in the 40th minute, assisted by Lukie Aguilar.
“I was happy about the result of the game,” Gaverza said. “It was a challenge to beat them because they’ve been undefeated since the start of the season.
“For now, we’re focusing on the semis and hoping we do well to continue the momentum.”
Gaverza’s rise to Taft Avenue began in Barotac Nuevo, one of the country’s most celebrated football towns. His talent caught the eye of La Salle assistant coach Joplong Brillantes during the Palarong Pambansa, opening the door for him to play for one of the Philippines’ premier universities.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“There were a few UAAP schools that offered me, but I’ve been thinking about the good scholarship, and La Salle is a good university. I’m glad that I’ve been representing La Salle in this UAAP,” he shared.
For a Green Booters squad that has struggled to find a consistent goal scorer since the departures of Mikio Umilin, Isaac Anoh, and Mo Almohjili, Gaverza’s four-goal tally has filled a glaring void upfront.
The transition to collegiate football has been eased by first-year head coach Richard Leyble. Under the former national team player, a young La Salle roster accumulated 16 points and edged archrival Ateneo de Manila to claim the final playoff spot.
“He’s a good coach. For the six months, we’ve been trusting the tactics of Coach Richard, and we’ve been following him, and the results are good. You can see naman,” Gaverza noted.
“For us, it’s been a great accomplishment that we’re in the Final Four after three years. We’re back in the Final Four, hoping for the best results.”
The celebration will be brief, as La Salle faces UP again in the semifinals. The Fighting Maroons’ top-seed finish gives them a twice-to-beat advantage, meaning the Green Booters must win two straight matches to reach the finals.
Gaverza remains grounded, viewing Sunday’s triumph as a confidence boost rather than a final victory. Chasing their first finals appearance since Season 81, La Salle knows the road ahead is unforgiving.
“We’re going back to training and polishing the things that have been lacking in the past few games, and hopefully do the best in the semifinals,” he said.
