National University goalkeeper Chris Perocho literally saved the day for the Bulldogs.
Up against a determined Far Eastern University Tamaraws side, Perocho made save after save to protect Owen Padernal’s 72nd minute goal and drag the Bulldogs to a 1-0 win Sunday morning at the former’s Diliman campus.
NU’s win allows it to temporarily go level with De La Salle University at fourth place with 16 points. On the other hand, FEU is still at 7th place with 9 points. While the Tamaraws can mathematically still make the Final Four, their fate is out of their hands.
“This game we were lucky because FEU was really controlling the game. They had plenty of chances at goal while we had two, three pero good game. Perocho had a great game. Four times na point blank saves yung na-save niya. For me man of the match si Perocho,” said Bulldogs mentor Br. Mari Aberasturi.
With the game still scoreless after the first half, it was FEU that went close to breaking the deadlock early in the second period. Tamaraws winger Rico Andes had two good chances to draw first blood. Andes squandered the first attempt while his second shot forced a routine stop from NU goalie Chris Perocho.
The Tamaraws dominated the proceedings and should have been a goal up. As the Bulldogs sat deep and invited pressure, Perocho denied Alex Rayos Jr. and Donggyu Jung while Dominique Canonigo’s strike hit the post.
Against the run of play, though, it was NU that found a way to score the first goal of the match. The Tamaraws failed to clear their lines which allowed Padernal to get a sight of goal and the midfielder unleashed a powerful screamer to give his team the lead.
Already a goal up, the Bulldogs went close to doubling their lead soon after Padernal’s goal. A counterattack allowed Patrick Valenzuela to go through on goal but the forward failed to hit the target and the chance was wasted.
Pressure grew heavier on the Bulldogs’ shoulders. The Tamaraws’ desperation grew and they almost drew level in the final stages of the match but Perocho was alert to parry away close range shots from Rayos and Audie Menzi.
Both schools shall next play on April 12 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. NU will take on La Salle at 8:00 AM while FEU shall go up against University of the Philippines afterwards at 4:00 PM.
