Following a dismal start to the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Football Tournament second round, the DLSU Men’s Football Team rose from calamity to ensure destiny is in its hands to qualify for this year’s Final Four.
Thanks to goals from Mikio Umilin, Jed Diamante and Alfonso Montelibano, La Salle won its third straight game with a 3-1 result over the National University Bulldogs, Thursday afternoon, at the Far Eastern University-Diliman turf in Quezon City.
The result elevates the team’s standing in the league table to 3rd place with 22 points after it initially fell off the top four after UST defeated ADMU 2-1 in the morning fixture.
NU’s Joobin Park drew first blood for the Bulldogs when he turned in his teammate Joshua Broce’s initial attempt at the 25th minute. It was a goal that was against the run of play and one that did not dampen La Salle’s drive throughout the rest of the match.
Rookie winger Umilin found the back of the net for La Salle five minutes before the break when he slalomed his way past the Bulldogs defense and took advantage of an error by their goalkeeper Christian Betanio.
Jed Diamante fools the keeper and goes for the bottom right corner on the penalty! 2-1, DLSU! #UAAPSeason81Football pic.twitter.com/ZkmZEyCZT0
— ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) April 25, 2019
Come the second half, La Salle turned the match on its head thanks to captain Diamante’s penalty at the 50th minute. Substitute forward Montelibano then put the result beyond doubt with a neat finish in the first minute of added time.
Rafael Montelibano caps off DLSU's win with a strike to the far post! #UAAPSeason81Football pic.twitter.com/aaqx3VEsbX
— ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) April 25, 2019
“Aware (yung players) na, before the game started, na must-win sila regardless kung ano yung result ng first game kanina,” said La Salle coach Alvin Ocampo. “Everything will be mental. Who wants to win more, yun yung importante… puso na yan eh.”
Up next for La Salle is a crunch date against FEU than could decide its Final Four hopes. That game will be played on May 2, 2019, 1:30 PM at the same venue.