A late goal by Xavi Zubiri carried De La Salle to a thrilling 1-0 win over Far Eastern University as the Archers clinched the last Final Four spot in the final eliminations matchday of the UAAP Season 81 men’s football tournament Thursrday.
The Green Archers were the aggressor late in the last 10 minutes of the match, as rookie John Rhey Lagura had several scoring chances to put his side ahead but fell short.
From close range, substitute Zubiri scored his first-ever UAAP goal—and De La Salle’s biggest of the season—in stoppage time, just enough for the Archers to collect 25 points and eliminate University of Santo Tomas in the Final Four race.
“I feel amazing right now,” said Zubiri.
In the morning match at the FEU-Diliman pitch, Kyle Magdato netted a brace, while Dane Saavedra also entered the scoresheet as defending champion University of the Philippines fashioned out a 3-0 win over also-ran University of the East to barge in the Final Four.
The Fighting Maroons finished second in the table with 26 points and will face No. 3 Archers in the knockout semifinals next week at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The loss dropped the Tamaraws to fourth spot at 24 points. FEU will take on elimination round topnotcher Ateneo in the other Final Four pairing.