La Salle shuts out Ateneo, shares UAAP football lead

MANILA, Philippines - La Salle beat league-leading Ateneo De Manila University, 2-0, yesterday to gain a share of the lead in the UAAP men’s football Season 75 at the Erenchun field inside the Ateneo campus recently.

Midfielder Derrico Diamante and Federico Rabaya scored in the 59th and 73rd minute while the rest frustrated the Eagles in the last 20 minutes to fashion out the victory.

La Salle thus tied its victim on top with 24 points on eight wins against three losses, while Ateneo suffered its first defeat in 11 games for 24 points on seven wins and three draws.

“I’m hoping we could repeat the same performance when we meet UP on Wednesday,” said La Salle head coach Hans Smit, whose team now enjoys a five-game winning streak. “So far, we’re doing well, but still need to work hard.”

Ateneo, for its part, needs to win its last game in the elims against National University, also on Wednesday, to stay in the hunt for a twice-to-beat incentive in the semis.