La Salle overcame anxious moments in the second half to edge University of the Philippines, 2-1, and clinch its first Final Four appearance in three years in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament on Thursday at the UP Football Stadium.
John Gaverza delivered a first-half brace as the Richard Leyble-mentored Green Booters weathered off wave after wave of attack from the Fighting Maroons to prevail.
The former Barotac Nuevo National Comprehensive High School star opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a header before doubling La Salle’s lead in the 40th minute, finishing off a cross from Lukie Aguilar.
Ramil Bation III pulled one back for UP in the 53rd minute, injecting urgency into the Fighting Maroons’ attack.
Bation nearly found the equalizer in the 70th minute, but his effort rattled the crossbar following a poor clearance by the Green Booters.
La Salle survived the late onslaught to book its first Final Four stint since Season 85, finishing the eliminations with 16 points—one clear of Ateneo, which slid from third at the resumption of play last January 15 to fifth at the end of the round.
The wards of Leyble, one of the fine products of Koronadal National Comprehensive High School in Koronadal City, will face the Fighting Maroons in the Final Four on Feb. 8 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
“We know that we played against a goliath team. A very strong team. The number one team, but we didn’t care. We trained, then I told them, just follow the instructions. Follow the play, then, let it be, if we lose, it’s okay, but better to win,” Leyble said.
“I’m very proud of this team. I’m very proud of every player. The boys played well. They followed the instructions I said, especially in the attacking third, that don’t waste the chance. Make a score,” he added.
Despite the loss that snapped its 11-match unbeaten run this season, UP still finished atop the standings with 29 points and will carry a twice-to-beat advantage against La Salle in the semifinals.
Meanwhile, the result also ended Ateneo’s campaign, snapping a streak of eight consecutive Final Four appearances dating back to Season 77 (2015). The Blue Eagles were hoping for a UP win or draw to force a “Battle of Katipunan” semifinal.
The other Final Four pairing will see No. 2 Far Eastern University, which also holds a twice-to-beat advantage, face third-ranked University of Santo Tomas.
