MANILA, Philippines–La Salle dethroned defending champion University of the Philippine and returned to the finals with a 2-1 victory Thursday in the UAAP Season 81 men’s football tournament at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The Green Archers ended a four-year absence in the Final Four and have a chance to end a title drought that has lasted more than two decades.
“In the Final Four, anything can happen. It is more on who wants it more and who is prepared for the semis. Now we are one step closer on our goal right now,” said Ocampo, who was a member of the last Archers side that won the last championship in 1998.
The newbies have been delivering the goods all-season long for the Green Archers, and it was no different in the Final Four.
A week after Xavi Zubiri carried La Salle to the semifinals, it was Shanden Vergara’s time to step up, scoring the 77th-minute winner.
“They contributed have lot,” said coach Alvin Ocampo of La Salle’s talented rookie batch.
De La Salle became the fourth straight No. 3 team to make it to the Finals, duplicating the feat by
University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University and Ateneo.
De La Salle’s women’s team also made it to the Finals for a shot at a third straight crown.
Jovan Marfiga opened the scoring for the Archers in the 20th minute before the Fighting Maroons equalized 18 minutes later courtesy of King Miyagi.