In what could be a landmark result in their football history, the Adamson University Soaring Falcons upset the De La Salle University Green Archers, 1-0, to get their first win in the UAAP Season 79 Men’s Football Tournament.
Soaring Falcons freshman Ejike Ugwoke (57′) provided the goal for the Soaring Falcons today at the Far Eastern University-Diliman field. In contrast, the Green Archers were left to lament their wastefulness in front of goal.
“Third year na namin so sinabi ko na kailangan na namin ng result,” shared Adamson mentor Nolan Manito.
The Green Archers dominated the first half to no avail. Adamson defended well and scared La Salle when Soaring Falcons forward Kim Bardaje was adjudged to be onside and should have scored a goal if not for Green Archers goalie Paeng De Guzman’s good saves.
La Salle kept on bombarding the Adamson goal, but Soaring Falcons goalie Carl Viray was on hand to make routine stops against the attempts of Noel Brago, Mauro Acot, and Rigoberto Joseph. It ended goalless at the break, with Adamson holding firm against a determined La Salle side.
Upon the game’s resumption, a shock was on the cards. La Salle came close to scoring when Joseph had a goal-bound shot caught by Viray. Viray then released the ball immediately towards the Soaring Falcons offense and rookie Ugwoke found himself unmarked in the 57th minute to head the ball home.
Adamson celebrated widely; their hard work had been rewarded with a goal they deserved. On the other hand, La Salle were stunned and angered by the fact that Ugwoke had scored so easily. The Green Archers urgently sought an equalizer, but Viray easily caught the tame efforts of Alfonso Montelibano and substitute Jed Diamante.
La Salle pushed for a goal, yet everything they threw at Adamson was repelled every single time. Adamson held on to a deserving 1-0 win against La Salle, in what is arguably the biggest result yet this season.
Manito concluded, “Siguro malaking balita ito mas lalo na sa community ng Adamson na malaman nila na tinalo namin ang La Salle. At the same time sa players namin at sa amin din, tataas siguro ang morale namin.”
Adamson (1-0-2) shall play the University of Santo Tomas at 2:00 PM, while up next for La Salle (1-1-2) are the Far Eastern University at 4:00 PM. Both games will be played at Ateneo de Manila University’s Moro Lorenzo Field on February 23, 2017.
La Salle XI: Acot, Alcantara, Brago, Custodio, De Guzman, Garcia, Joseph, Montelibano, Siggoat, Ybañez, Zubiri
Adamson XI: Bardaje, De Guzman, Dela Cruz, Feliciano, Jumo I, Jumo II, Pilarca, Ramos Lee, Ramos Paul, Ugwoke, Viray
