De La Salle University showed that it can seize a victory despite facing an early setback.
The Green Archers staved off a difficult Adamson University side to prevail 2-1 in the UAAP Season 82 Men’s Football Tournament, Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Sophomore winger Mikio Umilin was La Salle’s spark plug when things weren’t going well for them in the game. And his persistence paid off handsomely in the 64th minute.
Umilin intercepted the ball deep in the Adamson half, then converted from a tight corner to deliver the winning goal for the Green and White.
“If you noticed in the second half, Adamson hardly had a scrimmage inside our penalty box,” said La Salle head coach Hans-Peter Smit. “So all we had to do is just to finish the game.”
The Adamsonians drew first blood in the 31st minute when Bryce Rabino put the ball in the back of the net from a corner, against the run of play.
It then took until the 52nd minute for the Green Archers to cancel out the Soaring Falcons’ opener. Rookie striker Franck Anoh rebounded John Rhey Lagura’s initial effort to equalize for La Salle.
Adamson fought valiantly in the game, but could only lament its inability to withstand pressure from La Salle.
The result was La Salle’s first win of the season, and it raises their tally to 4 points. On the other hand, Adamson coach Joplong Brillantes is still looking for his first win after two narrow defeats.
“A win is a win. Three points are three points. That’s the most important (thing). Then the next game is (against University of the Philippines). Let’s see what happens,” added Smit.
The two schools resume their campaigns on Thursday, March 20 at the same venue. La Salle plays the University of the Philippines at 8:00 AM, while Adamson goes up against National University afterwards at 4:00 PM.
