Ateneo rallies to beat La Salle, reclaims UAAP men’s football throne

Ateneo’s Jarvey Gayoso is the UAAP Season 81 men’s football MVP. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Jarvey Gayoso came through in extra time as Ateneo turned back rival La Salle, 2-1, in a thriller to capture the UAAP Season 81 men’s football crown Thursday at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Gayoso, the league’s MVP and best striker, salvaged the Blue Eagles’ title bid with his 12th goal of the seasson early in stoppage time to tie the match at 1-1 and extend it for another 30 minutes.

Skipper Julian Roxas, one of the three graduating Ateneo players, then put Ateneo ahead for good, 2-1, with a headed in the 100th minute en route to the Blue Eagles’ second crown in three years and eighth overall.

Rookie Mohammad Almohjili put the Green Archers, who were hungry to end a 21-year title drought, on the scoreboard in the 78th minute.

AJ Arcilla, who produced key saves for the Eagles in extra time, was named the Best Goalkeeper, while the Rookie of the Year honors went to Shanden Vergara of the Archers.

De La Salle’s Yoshi Koizumi and Jed Diamante bagged the Best Defender and Best Midfielder awards, respectively, while University of Santo Tomas won the Fair Play award.

Aside from Roxas, Rupert Baña and Jeremiah Rocha ended their UAAP careers as champions.