FEU pulls off UAAP football double

MANILA, Philippines—Paolo Bugas provided the flash of inspiration in extra time as Far Eastern University fought back from a goal down twice in hacking out an epic 3-2 win over La Salle to keep the UAAP men’s football crown before a huge Sunday crowd at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Sidelined by a knee injury in the second round, Bugas returned with aplomb, delivering the decisive strike in the 94th minute.

The win capped a glorious night for FEU whose women’s team also retained the crown with a 2-1 nipping of University of the Philippines.

Alesa Dolino and Alina Araneta knocked in the goals for coach Let Dimzon’s side which extended its reign for the third straight season.

The Tamaraws needed a late Jess Melliza strike to force extra time.

La Salle had taken the lead twice in the second half through Gio Diamante and Sabin Bustamante who looked to have fired the goal that could have ended a 17-year title drought in the 81st minute.

But FEU pulled out one more magical moment with Eric Giganto, who made it 1-1, setting up Melliza three minutes later to forge a 2-2 stalemate

Bugas then expertly put FEU on top, dribbling past defenders on the left before rifling home a deflection-aided goal.