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UAAP Football: Final Four cast complete as La Salle, UST post contrasting wins

Jean Clarino and UST came from a goal down to shut the door on UE's Final Four aspirations. Denver Lachica
By Kevin Estrada

MANILA -- The postseason cast is complete in the UAAP Men's Football tournament after La Salle and UST post contrasting wins in Thursday's triple-header at the Rizal Memorial.

Both the Green Archers and the Growling Tigers sent their victims to an early summer vacation, as they effectively ended their Final Four aspirations in the process in their penultimate matches of the regular season.

In the morning tiff, La Salle shut down NU, 2-1, with Christian Zubiri (12') and Matthew Custodio (62') helping seal their return to the postseason.

Simplicio Mantal had a the equalizer in the 32nd minute, but they could not find a second goal to come up short in their semifinal aspirations for the sixth straight year, extending their title drought to seven decades.

On the other hand, UST came from a goal down to knock UE out by the same scoreline.

With only three points separating the two sides in the return fixture, Regil Kent Galaura scored once again against the Tigers, putting them ahead just eight minutes into the match.

However, Marjo Allado's men muscled their way at the restart, with Jean Clarino equalizing from close range in the 55th minute.

Skipper Ian De Castro then scored the winner just two minutes from full time to seal their third consecutive trip to the semifinal.

With those results, UST and La Salle now have 22 and 20 points respectively in the table with one match to play, as the vanquished sides will not get past 19 points to conclude their season.

On the other tiff, FEU and UP played out on a goalless stalemate in their final Diliman Derby of the year.

Follow him on Twitter: @KevinLEstrada