Header Ads Widget

#EndOfEight: Vicen the hero as Benilde crowned champs after edging Arellano from the spot

After a finals series for the ages, CSB is back on top of the NCAA football scene. Kevin Estrada
By Kevin Estrada

MANILA -- Finally, the drought is over.

College of St. Benilde leaned on the goalkeeping heroics of Jake Allen Vicen to take the NCAA Men's Football title for the first time in eight years in a pulsating shootout over Arellano Wednesday evening at the Rizal Memorial.

The third and deciding game of the Final goes all the way once again, after two hours of frenetic football were not enough to break a 1-1 deadlock, thus needing another showdown for twelve yards out.

Miguel Artillera gave the Blazers a shock lead in the 38th minute, but Robert Corsame duly equalized for the Chiefs just four minutes after the restart, as both sides missed crucial chances to win it in normal and extra time.

However, the league's best shot-stopper had the last laugh from the spot, denying Corsame for the final time to start the celebrations for their first silverware since 2010.

Apart from Vicen, Blazers skipper Renz Tulayba won the league's best midfielder as well as taking home the honors as the top player in the postseason.

Follow him on Twitter: @KevinLEstrada