Ibrahim Tarin scored twice as De La Salle overcame Adamson, 4-2, to regain its winning form in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament at the UP Diliman Football Stadium on Thursday.
Substitute Vin dela Cruz capitalized on a blunder by Falcons goalkeeper Shane Salarda, who fumbled and lost control of the ball, to score in the 70th minute, giving the Green Booters their first lead of the match, 2-1.
Rookie Lucas Aguilar then assisted Tarin’s 75th-minute strike, providing De La Salle with a comfortable two-goal cushion.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Adamson narrowed the gap when captain Dexter Casing finished off a set piece by Mark Ricario in the 84th minute.
However, De La Salle restored their two-goal advantage after Tarin pounced on a poor Falcons clearance to net his second goal early in stoppage time.
“It was a slow start,” said Green Booters head coach Alvin Ocampo. “We needed the win. They were able to recover in the second half and, with the halftime adjustments, had a higher state of mindset coming in the next half.”
The victory brought De La Salle level with University of the East at seven points, keeping them within the top four, a confidence boost ahead of their upcoming showdown against defending champion University of the Philippines on Thursday.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Adamson, meanwhile, closed out its first-round campaign without a point.
Carl Mahinay opened the scoring for the Falcons in the 24th minute.
De La Salle equalized in the 54th minute through Luis Vecin’s long-range strike from outside the box. (JT)
