Nine-man University of the East achieved its most significant result of the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Football Tournament by upsetting Final Four hopeful De La Salle University, 2-1, on Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Skipper Nikko Palacio signaled the Red Warriors’ strong resolve to win this match by drawing first blood just 11 minutes into the game.
UE was then reduced to 10 players on the field after starting goalkeeper Christian Tambilawan committed a last-man foul before the end of the first half.
After halftime, La Salle continued to press towards the UE goal.
Christian Peñalosa saw his free kick parried away, but he eventually scored the Green Booters’ equalizer in the 73rd minute off a miskick from Paolo Go.
Despite the setback, the Red Warriors still managed to reclaim the lead.
Rookie forward Keith Hermoso received the ball at the edge of the Green Booters’ box and unleashed a powerful shot past goalkeeper Enrico Mangaoang.
Substitute goalkeeper Joniel James Pamati-an then became UE’s hero in the endgame as he made save after save to keep La Salle at bay.
Not even a late red card given to Jerome Abarca could prevent what was the biggest upset of the season.
“Sinabi ko sa kanila kasi how many times na nangyari sa amin na leading kami at may chance kaming manalo,” said coach Frank Muescan. “Sinabi ko sa kanila na wag na naming pakawalan at nag-respond naman sila.
“It’s a good thing kasi parang ito na yung turning point sa kanila na ganito maglaro ng football, ganito kung gusto natin manalo. Kailangan nating trabahuin sabay-sabay. Problema namin, pag nagkalan kami sa mga naunang laro namin — na-down sila. Pero naka-recover and then ito na yung result niya,” he added.
Despite remaining in sixth place, UE improved its tally to seven points with a minus-18 goal difference.
The Red Warriors will finish their campaign on May 2 against the FEU Tamaraws at 4:00 PM at the same venue.
On the other hand, La Salle fell to fifth place with 15 points and a plus-4 goal difference after suffering its third loss this year.
The Green Booters still have two more games in their quest to return to the semifinals: A match against the Tamaraws this Sunday at 4:00 PM, then a rivalry match against the Ateneo Blue Eagles on May 2 at 6:30 PM.
After the game, a group of La Salle supporters was ejected after shouting profanities at the tournament organizers and match officials during the La Salle hymn.
The XI:
DLSU XI: Mangaoang (GK), Cruel, Go, Henares, Anoh, Peñalosa, Suarez III, Lozano, Bengay, Abela, Labayen.
UE XI: Tambilawan (GK), Magallon, Palacio (C), Hernan, Hermoso, Resuma, Macaraig, Dela Cruz, Madrid, Maghinay, Adonis.
