NU Bulldogs forge draw vs Tamaraws

SKIPPER Paolo Salenga struck with his third goal in as many matches as 10-man National University salvaged a 2-2 draw with Far Eastern U yesterday to stay in top spot in the UAAP Season 78 men’s football tournament at Moro Lorenzo Field.

The Southeast Asian Games veteran scored past FEU keeper Ray Joyel in the 56th minute before the Bulldogs kept their resolute defensive stand to pick up a crucial point against the defending champions.

The result gave NU its seventh point of the season, just ahead of La Salle on goal difference.

The Green Booters leaned on a Jose Montelibano close-range strike just before halftime to forge a 1-1 draw with University of Santo Tomas.

John de Castro scored on a header off a Dionisio Busmion’s corner kick to give UST the lead in the 17th minute, but Montelibano was quickest to react on Greggy Yang’s headed pass inside the area for the equalizer in the 44th minute.

It was UST’s second straight draw, which meant tying FEU at third spot with five points.

NU opened the scoring with a Chima Uzoka goal after Joyel spilled Salenga’s free kick in the fifth minute. The Bulldogs were reduced to 10 men when Uzoka was shown a red card for hitting FEU star Paolo Bugas.