NU knocks reigning titlist Ateneo out of contention in UAAP football

FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — National University knocked out Ateneo out of contention in the UAAP season 76 men’s football tournament with a 1-0 win in a highly-charged encounter Thursday at the FEU-Diliman pitch.

Skipper Paolo Salenga scored the lone goal in the 33rd minute for the Bulldogs, who still came out determined even they were out of the running in the playoff race.

It was a frustrating game, meanwhile, for Ateneo, which needed to sweep all of its three games and University of Santo Tomas to lose all of its games to advance.

Instead, the Blue Booters failed in their title retention bid as they miss a trip to the Final Four with just six points, good for last place.

Notching its only second win of the season, NU climbed to 10 points to stay in sixth place.

Both teams were down to 10 men by the end of the match as Blue Eagles’ Lui Clavano and Bulldogs rookie John Nico Macapal were sent off in injury time for their second yellow card.

Eight yellow cards were handed out the entire match.