Third seed Far Eastern University (FEU) swept second seed De La Salle University, chalking a 2-0 win in the UAAP Season 95 men’s football tournament final four Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium to enter the final on May 18.
After botched early attempts by Khent Valenzuela and Viejay Frigillano to score the first goal, it was tournament leading scorer Gio Pabualan who cracked open the Green Archers’ defense, scoring on a sensational 19-yard free kick from top right of the box in the 28th minute.
The free kick was awarded after La Salle goalkeeper Mig Brosoto committed a handball infraction outside the penalty area, which is a violation for goalkeepers.
FEU upped the tempo in the remainder of the first half with several chances in their attacking third, but long direct shots from Valenzuela and Pabualan were saved by Brosoto.
It was La Salle’s turn to recover in the second half, securing set pieces after set pieces that they failed to score on.
In the 49th and 51st minute, a 1v1 attack by Vin dela Cruz and a shot by Franck Anoh, all from the left wing, were saved by Tamaraw goalkeeper Jetrick Fabrigas.
A header by Manu Cruel off a left corner inswing was likewise saved by Fabrigas in the 57th minute while an 18-yard free kick by Mikio Umilin in the same area as Pabualan’s goal earlier was blocked by the FEU defensive wall.
La Salle had two further chances to tie the game into the 70th minute but a 19-yard strike by Gabe Suarez flew just a few inches past the crossbar while a header by Anoh off a long free kick by substitute goalkeeper Enrico Mangaoang was again saved by Fabrigas.
These chances were the last hurrah for the Green Archers as Sherwin Basindanan scored the insurance goal in the 85th minute with a running attack off a header pass by Martini Rey, getting past center back Jovan Marfiga in a 1v1 situation.
“I think we did enough. At some point in the second half, I think La Salle did their part and also put some pressure. We made some adjustments, and I think we ended strongly,” commened FEU coach Vince Santos after the game.
The win completed a three-game sweep by the Tamaraws last tournament’s runner-up Green Archers and the first ticket to the UAAP men’s football final, which FEU earned since season 79 (2017).
They are currently waiting for winner of the second final four game between defending champions Ateneo de Manila and Season 80 runner-up University of Santo Tomas.
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