De La Salle-Zobel played the spoiler role, thrashing University of Santo Tomas, 2-0, giving National University the last finals berth in the UAAP Season 82 High School Boys Football Tournament, Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
Andres Aldeguer’s free kick in the 17th minute was deflected by UST goalie Carl Mesina, but luckily for DLSZ, Yuki Ferrer was there for the second serving to break the ice, 1-0.
The Junior Golden Booters have the chance to equalize after Ken Escobar got fouled in the box in the 33rd minute, but Denzel Celebrado’s penalty kick went over the goal.
In the 38th minute, Aldeguer’s strike gave his squad a 2-0 advantage before halftime.
“I just said to the boys that forget the gold, forget the silver. We have a chance for the bronze after that lousy first round, bawi tayo,” said DLSZ head coach Hans Smit.
The Junior Green Booters ended their campaign at solo third behind 10 points, while UST slid to fourth seed with 8 points.
In the main game, nine-time defending champion FEU-Diliman blanked the Bullpups in their finals prelude, 2-0.
Karl Absalon provided the insurance goal in the 58th minute via a penalty kick after the Bullpups committed a handball infraction.
FEU took the lead in the 52nd minute after Bullpup Michael Baloyo’s own goal.
The Baby Tamaraws will enter the championship as the top seed with 20 points while NU amassed 11 points in the eliminations.
The Finals will be played on a later date after the league suspended all games as a precautionary measure against COVID-19 outbreak.
