FEU stuns La Salle in UAAP men's football semis

Gio Pabualan reminded FEU fans to acknowledge him after scoring the opening goal. UAAP Season 85 Media Team

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Far Eastern University added some more wildness to one of the most heated UAAP men's football title races of all time after eliminating La Salle from contention with a 2-0 win in their semifinal encounter on Thursday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Gio Pabualan's free-kick set the tone for the Tamaraws as the third seeds knocked out the second-seeded Green Booters.

Pabualan took advantage of a crucial error from La Salle starting keeper Mig Brosoto where he fumbled his save and only got to grab the ball outside the box and slotted a beautiful free kick from the right side in the 28th minute for the 1-0 count.

Icko Mangaoang subbed in for Brosoto and appeared to be keeping a clean sheet for the Green Booters in the second half, but Tamaraw Jet Fabrigas made three huge saves of his own to keep the Green Booters from equalizing.

Sherwin Basindanan broke through Mangaoang's superb goalkeeping and slotted the dagger for FEU in the 87th minute.

The Tamaraws will face the winner of the other semifinal between the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the UST Golden Booters in the championship match next Thursday.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno