MANILA – University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers handed Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles its first loss in UAAP Season 81 men’s football with a 2-1 stunner at the FEU-Diliman pitch.
AJ Pasion delivered the go-ahead conversion for the Growling Tigers with a 78th minute volley to gain the needed three points and keep their hopes of advancing in the semifinals alive.
Growling Tigers drew first blood in the game on Thursday with Glen Ramos founding the back of the net in the 42nd minute before Julian Roxas scored the equalizer in the 73rd minute for the Blue Eagles.
The defeat derailed the Blue Eagles’ Final Four march, as the Katipunan-based side remained at 23 points in second place, while the Growling Tigers moved to fourth spot with 20 points.
De La Salle University Green Archers showed a sense of urgency as it turned back National University Bulldogs, 3-1, to bolster its Final Four hopes with the elimination round nearing its close.
Joobin Park opened the scoring for the Bulldogs after 25 minutes before Mikio Umilin’s 40th minute strike allowed the Green Archers to equalize.
Jed Diamante drained the 50th minute penalty and substitute Rafael Montelibano produced a fine second-half stoppage time goal for the Green Archers to move up to third place with 22 points./PN
