Matches Thursday (Rizal Memorial Stadium)
2 p.m. – DLSU vs FEU (Women Finals)
4:30 p.m. – DLSU vs Ateneo (Men Finals)
La Salle and Ateneo renewed their rivalry after pulling off dramatic wins Friday in the UAAP football tournament at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The Green Archers leaned heavily of the heroics of Shanden Vergara to pull off a 2-1 win over the University of the Philippines Maroons while the Eagles rode on another brilliant performance of Jarvey Gayoso to edge out the Far Eastern University Tamaraws.
Vergara’s heroics came a week after fellow rookie Xavi Zubiri carried them to the Final Four.
“They contributed a lot,” said coach Alvin Ocampo of La Salle’s talented rookie batch.
The Archers are back after a four-year absence and are seeking to end a 21-year title drought in the one-game final with the Eagles on Thursday next week at the same Malate venue.
De La Salle became the fourth straight No. 3 team to make it to the Finals, duplicating the feat by University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University and Ateneo.
This marked the second time the Eagles and Archers clash since 2006 when the Katipunan-based side completed a three-peat.
“In the Final Four, anything can happen. It is more on who wants it more and who is prepared for the semis. Now we are one step closer on our goal right now,” said Ocampo, who was a member of the last Archers side that won their fourth and last championship in 1998.
De La Salle is actually on course for a golden double, as its women’s team also made it to the Finals and is eyeing a third straight crown on Thursday next week.
Another rookie Jovan Marfiga opened the scoring for the Archers in the 20th minute before the Fighting Maroons equalized 18 minutes later courtesy of King Miyagi.
