Nine-man FEU survives La Salle for UAAP football crown

By Dugout Philippines

MANILA--FEU staved off two late ejections to pull off a 3-2 win after extra time against La Salle in the UAAP men's football final at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The Tamaraws fought back from 1-2 down to retain their title against the Green Booters.

Gio Diamante first scored in the 59th minute for La Salle, when he got ball off a heading scramble after a corner kick and sent the rocket goal to the net, stunning Audie Menzi.

Eric Giganto answered in the 72nd minute after stealing the ball from Paeng De Guzman, who failed to secure the ball after saving Arnel Amita's attempt.

Sabin Bustamante put the Green Booters back on top with nine minute left in regulation as he fired a high-arching shot that Menzi failed to save.

Jhan Melliza quickly answered off a one-on-one with De Guzman to tie the match anew. Melliza had a huge chance to steal the win in regulation, but Matthew Nierras was quick to stop the shot.

Four minutes into the overtime session, Pao Bugas capped a triumphant return from an ACL injury by scoring the go-ahead goal for FEU.

However, the Tamaraws had a man down as Nicolas Ferrer was slapped with a red card in the second extra time. Later in the period, Amita also got sent off.

But the Green Booters failed to capitalize on their opponents' lack of manpower as they never threatened in the end.

FEU completed a second straight treble in the UAAP football play as its distaff side won against UP in the women's final earlier in the night and the high school squad won in the juniors' final yesterday.

La Salle, who made the final for the first time in nine years, saw its title drought extended to 17 years.