Ateneo scores another victory against longtime rival De La Salle University.
This time, they get the better hand against the Green Archers in a decisive match for the battle on who will advance and take the final spot for the UAAP season 75 men’s football championship.
With the score tied to 3 goals apiece, the game was decided on a thrilling penalty shootout to determine who will advance to the finals. With the shootout being held tied at 3-3, Ateneo Blue Eagles’ Booter Jico Noel kicked in a goal swishing through La Salle’s goalkeeper and straight into the net clinching the win.
It also sealed Ateneo de Manila University’s five straight appearances in five consecutive years.
With both teams failing to score a single goal during the regulation, the game was extended through an extra time. Still, both teams could not seem to find their luck and again were not able to get one in for a supposed winning goal. Thus, they arrived at a shootout.
Nathan Alquiros of La Salle was the first to kick and netted his initial attempt, breaking the ice with 0-1 before Ateneo Booter Val Calvo step into the field and made things even with 1-1.
Gerald Layumas and Mikko Manabag then had an exciting exchange of goals with their penalty shootout attempts for a 2-2 face-off, having La Salle kicker Don Rabaya give the Archers their last take on the lead with 3-2.
Carlo Liay then scored a goal to make things even. La Salle’s Patrick Deyto had his chance to win it for La Salle but had his attempt flailing straight to the hands of Ateneo’s goalkeeper, giving the ball back to Ateneo and had Noel kicking the deciding goal.
