Ateneo locks in postseason berth

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 87 Men's Football Standings

*Ateneo 24 pts. (+21 GD)

FEU 17 (+17)

UP 16 (+9)

UST 13 (0)

DLSU 10 (-7)

UE 7 (-15)

AdU 3 (-25)

*Final Four

Women's Matches Saturday at the UP Football Stadium

4 p.m. – FEU vs UP

6:30 p.m. – Ateneo vs UST

ATENEO drew huge performances from Dov Cariño and goalkeeper Artus Cezar to pull off a comprehensive 4-0 win over De La Salle and secure the first Final Four berth in their rivalry match of the UAAP Season 87 collegiate men's football tournament Thursday at the UP Football Stadium.

Cariño hiked his league-leading goal total to nine with a brace, while Cezar produced a clean sheet as the Blue Eagles solidified their hold on top of the table with 24 points.

"Of course like ng sinabi ko nga sa team we need this win to secure the top four, but again UAAP Season 87 eliminations are not done yet there’s a few more games and we’re looking forward to perform more and improve more were very happy because we controlled the game from La Salle all the way to the final whistle," said Ateneo coach JP Merida.

Joaquin Collo opened Ateneo's account in the 16th minute and assisted Fernando Roxas' 87th minute strike.

Cariño, who assisted Collo's opener, found the back of the net in the 36th minute from a Leo Maquiling cross, and scored in the first-half added time to give the Blue Eagles a 3-0 lead. He was substituted in the 74th minute as Ateneo was totally in control.

"Of course we believe with Dov Cariño talaga the way we came from the previous game we had a lot of changes with his position becase we need to take care of him I know some of the school they have plan with him," Merida said.

Cezar, for his part, had several brillant saves in the second half to frustrate the Green Booters.

De La Salle remained in fifth spot with 10 points, three off University of Santo Tomas, which earlier battled to a scoreless stalemate against Far Eastern University.

Up next for the Blue Eagles are the Tamaraws on Nov. 21.

De La Salle will take on holder University of the Philippines on Sunday.