Written by Akari Sports Staff | Photo: The UAAP
La Salle-Zobel strengthened its grip on third place by defeating fabled rival Ateneo, 2-1, in the UAAP Season 88 high school boys’ football tournament on Wednesday night at the UP Football Stadium.
The Junior Green Booters have 17 points, four clear of the Blue Eagles. La Salle-Zobel is also significantly ahead of Muntinlupa rival PAREF Southridge, which sits in fifth place with 11 points, in the race for one of the two remaining Final Four berths.
The Junior Green Booters completed their mastery of the Blue Eagles with another victory, mirroring their first-round meeting on February 7, which saw La Salle-Zobel claim a 1-0 win over Ateneo.
Renz Partosa gave the Junior Green Booters an early lead in the 15th minute before Andre Tongson doubled the advantage with a goal in the 36th minute.
The Blue Eagles attempted a second-half comeback to salvage a draw, beginning with an Andres Dumlao strike in the 62nd minute. Ateneo had one final opportunity to level the match late, but Manu Simpao’s header missed the target, allowing La Salle-Zobel to secure the victory.
“Sa boys naman, binigay nila lahat sa game even though mabigat yung mga katawan nila,” said Coach Arvin Soliman. “Coming from sa RAAM (regional meet), sa Batangas, half of the team galing sa RAAM, so half of the team nagte-training — so masyadong mabigat. Although binigay nila lahat, may mga correction kaming kailangang i-adjust para sa next game namin.”
