University of the East carved out a 1-0 win over Adamson University late Sunday to end its UAAP Season 79 men’s football campaign on a high note at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Krysler Opeña produced the only goal of the match in the 82nd minute as the Red Warriors finished their season strong with three straight wins.
Tagged as a giant-killer after beating Final Four-bound teams Far Eastern University and Ateneo, UE ended the season in seventh place with 14 points.
For rookie coach Fitch Florence Arboleda, there’s no way but for the Warriors, who last ruled the league in 2001, but to go up.
“Yung mga players ko sobrang ready for next season. Walang mawawalang mga players, sana may dumagdag,” said Arboleda.
“Last three games namin, wala kaming mali. Good thing, yung conversion ng mga goal, galing sa mga play namin,” he added.
The Falcons wound up dead last with three points. Adamson University’s lone win came against De La Salle in the first round.
The Final Four cast was completed Sunday after the Blue Eagles eliminated the Green Archers, 2-0.
Ateneo has also locked the top ranking in the knockout semifinals with 32 points, four clear of defending champion University of the East, which has 28 points.
In third spot are the Tamaraws with 22 points, two ahead of University of Santo Tomas (20). The Growling Tigers still have a shot of avoiding the Eagles in the semis if they beat the Green Archers in the final day of eliminations on April 20.