Ateneo gains football lead; NU stuns FEU

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo seized the solo lead with a 1-0 victory over University of the Philippines, even as National University pulled off a stunning 3-1 win over defending champion Far Eastern University yesterday in the UAAP Season 77 men’s football tournament.

A penalty kick by Carlo Liay on the 28th minute was enough for the Blue Eagles to capture the top of the table with 10 points in the game held at the FEU-Diliman pitch.

Paolo Salenga scored a brace as the Bulldogs capitalized on the absence of the Tamaraws’ striker Nicolas Ferrer and defender Reymart Cubon to suspensions to bounce back from a 0-1 to the Fighting Maroons at the Moro Lorenzo Football Field.

Salenga made the second quickest goal of the tournament, scoring on the third minute and converted a spot kick in the 54th minute.

FEU leveled on the 39th minute courtesy of Audie Menzi before NU regained the upper hand with Patrick Valenzuela finding the back of the net with two minutes left before halftime.

In Saturday night match also held at the Ateneo pitch, De La Salle routed University of the East, 5-1, with Gelo Diamante netting a brace and Jose Montelibano, Gio Diamante and Nate Alquiros contributing one goal apiece.