Action between La Salle and FEU in the UAAP Season 87 men's football tournament, November 24, 2024 at the UP Diliman Football Field. UAAP MediaMANILA -- Far Eastern University overpowered De La Salle University, 5-2, in the UAAP Season 87 men's football tournament on Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Field.
The big win sent the Green Booters on the brink of elimination from the race to the Final 4.
With a Final Four spot on the line, La Salle head coach Alvin Ocampo used rookie goalkeeper Jason Salavante instead of standout starting goalkeeper Enrico Mangaoang.
FEU head coach Roman Oliver also played his backup goalkeeper Quintin Sanchez, who conceded the first two goals of FEU in the second round.
"Well, it's not easy to play your match. So he (Sanchez) played a good game, made some mistakes but was confident with the ball but made some super saves as well," Oliver said.
In the opening minutes of the game, Al Christian Galario gave FEU the 1-0 advantage after finding a loose ball for a left-footed finish.
McJay Naniel doubled the lead in the 10th minute after punishing a mistake by Salavante, who rushed the ball too early and allowed the easy goal.
The Green Booters found their rhythm and equalized the game, 2-2, following halftime courtesy of two quick goals from Fernando Suarez, who blasted one over the line in the 60th minute, and Vin De la Cruz who scored almost instantly after Sanchez dove the wrong way.
The Tamaraws reclaimed the lead in the 69th minute as Mel Baylon quickly converted from a set-piece by Edgar Aban, 3-2.
Another Salavante mistake allowed Marc Celis to extend FEU's lead to two in the 81st minute.
Theo Libarnes caught the La Salle backline off guard and scored, dedicating the goal to his late grandmother who passed away recently.
In the 90th minute, Salavante was stretchered off after a collision with Libarnes.
With no substitutions left, La Salle gave Suarez the goalkeeping gloves for the last minutes of the game.
"Well it was a weird game, we did a good first half but then in one minute we conceded two goals and we struggled a bit in the second half but we were able to come back so at the end so we're happy, few more points and a win," said Oliver.
FEU remained in second place after improving to 23 points on a plus-21 goal difference, while La Salle neared elimination in fifth place with 10 points on a minus-10 GD
FEU will conclude the elimination round against University of the Philippines on Thursday, Nov. 28, at 7:00 p.m.
Meanwhile, La Salle will next face Adamson University on the same date at 4:00 PM.