ADMU, DLSU wins crucial matches to solidify their final four slots

Photo credits: UAAP

With the final four slots finally taking shape, both the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles and the De La Salle University Green Booters won their respective matches and sets up a classic encounter in their final elimination match to determine their seeding in the semifinals of the UAAP Season 85 Men's Football Competition.

It was a day of super substitutes for the Green Booters as Franck Anoh, who came in late in the first half opened the scoring for them in the 45th minute while second-half substitute VIn Dela Cruz became the hero for DLSU as he scored the game-winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Despite the win, the Green Booters had to work hard for the three points as bottom-seed Adamson University Soaring Falcons gave them a run for their money. The San Marcelino-based booters were determined to close out their final two matches of the season on a high note by making it difficult for the final four hopefuls.

Anoh opened the scoring in the 45th minute thanks to a mazy run and a cutback that allowed him to distance himself from the defense and strike it past Zach Suarez. After Anoh's opener in the 45th minute, Dalton Digha leveled the match and gave the much-needed momentum to the Soaring Falcons heading into the second half. After a missed attempt from Nikko Arañas, Digha was alert to the possibility and volleyed it past Franz Brosoto.

The Soaring Falcons would then make it more difficult for the Taft-based booters as they got the better of them in terms of the 50-50 balls from goal-kicks and set-pieces. Every chance DLSU would get, Adamson would match it. However, it was Dela Cruz who rose to the occasion and won it for the Green Booters.

After coming in as a substitute towards the last 10 minutes of the match, Dela Cruz sealed the victory for the Green Booters after breaking away from the defense and rolling it past the keeper towards the bottom left corner of the goal.

Photo credits: UAAP

In the first match, ADMU Blue Eagles needed to work hard to win over a very determined UE Red Warriors side who's still fighting for final-four contention. Andy Roxas was the hero for the Katipunan-based booters after his goal in the 52nd minute gave them the win which propelled them to the top of the standings.

The Red Warriors proved to be a very tough opposition for the Blue Eagles after only allowing a goal despite facing a lot of attempts from the Blue Eagles. Amidst the defeat, the Red Warriors are still in the hunt for the remaining spots in the semifinals.

As of writing, the ADMU Blue Eagles currently occupy the number one seed for the final four while the DLSU Green Booters are on second, level on points with their rivals and just a goal short in the goal difference. The Far Eastern University Tamaraws, with a game on hand, sin in third place while the University Santo Tomas Golden Booters temporarily complete the final four cast.

Looking to finish the elimination rounds at the top of the pecking order, the Morayta-based Tamaraws will be gunning for a win against UST Golden Booters on April 30th at 4 PM while the UE Red Warriors, hoping for a win for their neighbors in Morayta, will face AdU Soaring Falcons in their final game of the season and would be looking for a win in order to make it to the semifinals.

Still chasing for another spot in the final four are the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons who will face FEU on the fourth of May at 4 PM as they try to go for an upset and win against this season's title contenders. Meanwhile, Ateneo and De La Salle will have to wait until the fourth of May to determine their seedings as they will close out the elimination rounds on the fourth of May as well at 7 PM.