Ateneo clinches top spot, ousts La Salle in UAAP football

Ateneo clinched the top ranking in the Final Four while bundling out fierce rival De La Salle out of contention with a 2-0 victory Sunday night in the UAAP Season 79 men’s football tournament at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.      

A Julian Roxas’ 38th minute screamer and a stoppage time goal by rookie Sam Lim were enough for the Blue Eagles to regain their winning ways while showing the Green Archers the exit door.

Earlier, Kenneth Tuzon delivered the late winner as University of Santo Tomas nailed the remaining semis slot with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Far Eastern University.

A native of Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, Tuzon scored his first goal of the season from a set piece in the 89th minute to power the Growling Tigers to victory.

Now at 20 points, UST’s victory also eliminated idle National University (16) in the process.

“We have lapses,” said Tigers coach Marjo Allado.       

“Pero ang pinaka-importante dito ay naka-goal kami at naka-three points. We to address our deficiencies in our next game,” he added. 

The victory put Ateneo firmly ahead on top with 32 points. De La Salle, meanwhile, ended a streak of four straight Final Four appearances as it stayed in sixth with 15.

The Tamaraws opened the scoring in the 24th minute courtesy of Mark Arranguez before Renz Gumban’s third goal of the season 11 minutes later forced the equalizer for the Tigers.