Adamson University battled De La Salle to a scoreless draw to split points in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Football Tournament on Thursday at the UP Football Stadium.
Goalkeeper Andrew Nalog produced a key save in the 74th minute, foiling Mo Almohjili’s penalty that could have opened the scoring for the Green Booters.
This followed Fernando Suarez getting fouled from inside the box.
“I think he is just great on what he is doing on the penalties,” said Soaring Falcons coach Darlton Digha on Nalog.
“He is just incredible and this is one of the qualities which I like about him, the confidence, right?” he added.
It was only Adamson’s second point of the tournament, as Digha – who took over the San Marcelino-based program this season – longs to earn the team’s first full points.
“We have to keep searching for the win. I think the players’ mentality is looking for the win also. We have to push ourselves to the limit. We have our chances. Once we get our chances, we can get the win,” said Digha.
The Soaring Falcons had their main gun Jhon Coquilla subbed out late in the first half due to injury.
They later went down to 10 men, as Pius Cueno was dismissed in stoppage time for hitting Luis Elnas in the back.
Up next for Adamson is a showdown with holders Far Eastern University at 7:00 PM on March 14.
De La Salle moved up to seven points to level with Ateneo in first place in the table temporarily. It will face University of Santo Tomas at 2:00 PM, also on March 14.
