College of St. Benilde ended an eight-year-old title drought as it bested Arellano University, 3-2, on penalties to rule the NCAA men’s football tournament Wednesday night at the Rizal Memorial Football Field.
Goalie Jake Vicen shone brightest for the Blazers with a save on a Roberto Corsame Jr. attempt to end their best-of-three championship series at 2-1.
It was St. Benilde’s fourth crown in league history and second under coach Marlon Maro.
The many-time PH team member took over the reins in 2003.
CSB looked doomed after Earl Real Laguerta misfired, but Renz Joseph Tulayba and Major Dean Ebarle converted their respective goals against failed attempts from the Chiefs’ Evander Alquitela and Angelo Guengon.
Then came Vicen, who sealed the win with an impressive save.
Maro credited his players’ hard work for the win despite dropping the opener of their series, 3-2.
“They deserve this championship,” said Maro.
Riding on a Game 2 win that was also decided via a shootout, the Blazers attacked early with Miguel Artillera scoring in the 38th minute.
But Arellano was quick to regroup and retaliated with a 49th minute goal for Corsame, a national under-23 standout.
Tulayba bagged the Most Valuable Player and Best Midfielder awards, while Vicen brought home the Golden Glove plum.
Other individual winners were Arellano’s Patrick John Bernarte (Best Defender) and San Beda’s Nimrod Balabat (Gold Boot).
