Selwyn Mamon struck at the nick of time as Far Eastern University booked its ticket to the Final Four of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament, edging De La Salle University, 1-0, on Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Mamon’s late heroics lifted the defending champions to second place in the standings, with FEU improving to 20 points and moving past University of Santo Tomas, which sits third with 18.
The result turned out to be a win-win for both the Tamaraws and the Golden Booters. By defeating La Salle, FEU also officially sealed UST’s spot in the semifinals, locking in three of the four Final Four berths.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“It was a very intense game,” said FEU head coach Jake Morallo. “Nakita naman natin na hindi basta-basta nagpapatalo si La Salle. They did their best. Nahirapan kami, to be honest, mag-penetrate sa defending side nila. But at the end of the day, at least naka-score pa rin kami from throw-in ni (Francis) Sambaan to Mamon. I’m very happy nakuha yung three points.”
After a scoreless first half, FEU pressed for a breakthrough, with Karl Absalon and RJ Pescadera coming close but seeing their attempts go wide.
A set piece ultimately proved decisive for the Tamaraws.
Francis Sambaan, who entered the match as a substitute, launched a long throw-in into the Green Booters’ box that found Mamon, who calmly tapped the ball home in the 76th minute for his eighth goal of the season.
It was déjà vu for La Salle, as Mamon also scored twice in FEU’s 3-1 victory over the Green Booters when the two sides met in the first round on October 19, 2025.
Now eyeing the twice-to-beat advantage, FEU will continue its push when it faces Ateneo de Manila University next Sunday at 4:30 p.m. at the same venue.
“Ito yung aim din namin sa team namin — makuha yung top two or top one,” Morallo said. “We’ll try our best kasi every game is important. Sana makuha namin yung top one or top two.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
La Salle, meanwhile, could only rue missed opportunities, as Lukie Aguilar failed to convert the chances that came his way, while another Green Booters goal was ruled out for offside.
Still, all is not lost for La Salle, which remains mathematically in contention for a Final Four spot.
The Green Booters will face University of the East next Sunday at 2 p.m. before closing their elimination round campaign against league-leading University of the Philippines on January 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the same pitch, needing to collect maximum points and hope for favorable results to keep their slim semifinal hopes alive.
