By: Niklas Arriola
Roberto Roldan’s late penalty rescued Adamson University, securing a 1-1 draw against a nine-man De La Salle University in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament on Thursday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Roldan, who entered as a halftime substitute, calmly converted the spot-kick past La Salle goalkeeper Edcel Lauron during stoppage time.
The penalty was awarded after Green Booters defender Adrian Aparilla was called for a handball inside the box — an infraction that also led to his dismissal.
The Soaring Falcons’ equalizer came after Sebastian Fronda’s 70th-minute strike broke the deadlock for La Salle.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Adamson had multiple opportunities to find the back of the net before the late drama.
Luis Becera fired a long-range effort in the 20th minute that Lauron managed to parry. Then midfielder Elijah Palabate tried his luck from outside the box in the 43rd minute, only to see his attempt curve wide of the right post.
Roldan also threatened with a header in the 65th minute but was flagged offside.
“We’re disappointed if you saw our reactions. Coming to this game, we wanted to stay relevant, we wanted to stay competitive, and we had to win this game. A draw is not good enough,” said Adamson head coach Darlton Digha.
“I’m about players who are hungry to play. They give all the effort that we are asking for, which is what we want to play.”
Both teams will take a point each — a different outcome from their first-round encounter on October 12, which ended in La Salle’s favor, 3-1.
Adamson remains in sixth place with five points and a -11 goal difference.
The Soaring Falcons will have a week-long break before returning to action against the University of Santo Tomas on November 16 at 6:30 PM, again at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
La Salle endured a rough start after defender Adam Abela was sent off in the 30th minute. Abela got two quick yellow cards for a hard tackle on Djobow Bolus and for arguing with the officials.
Following Fronda’s goal, Bacchus Ekberg nearly doubled La Salle’s lead in the 88th minute, but his attempt sailed over the crossbar.
The Green Booters remain in fifth place with nine points and a -1 goal difference. They will next face the University of the Philippines on Sunday at 6:30 PM, also at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
