Ateneo's Jet dela Cruz celebrates after scoring the go-ahead goal against FEU in the Final 4 of the UAAP Season 87 men's football tournament, December 8, 2024 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. UAAP MediaMANILA -- A second-half header from Jet dela Cruz powered Ateneo de Manila University to a 2-1 triumph against University of Santo Tomas in their Final 4 showdown, Sunday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Malate, Manila.
The win gave the Blue Eagles the second and last spot in the gold medal match of the UAAP Season 87 men's football tournament, where they will be up against Far Eastern University.
The Tamaraws had earlier dethroned the University of the Philippines, 1-0, in the other semifinal pairing.
READ: FEU dethrones UP, advances to men's football final
It will be a rematch of the UAAP Season 85 Finals, where the Tamaraws ran out a 4-1 victory against Ateneo.
This time, the Blue Eagles, aiming for a ninth title in the sport, are seeking redemption after the two teams split their elimination matches.
The Final is set for Sunday at 5 p.m. in the same Malate venue.
"It’s a tough game for me; it’s an even game. We won the first round, we lost the second round, so for me this will be a good match. We’re looking forward to play well, of course, on the opposite side, we are looking forward that FEU will play well also," said Ateneo coach JP Merida of the championship game.
"Right now, the best thing is to prepare. We need to go back to the screen to check their style going into the very last game," he added.
Skipper Leo Maquiling put Ateneo ahead in the 14th minute with Miguel Bengson creating the goal on the flank, but the Golden Booters pressed for an equalizer the rest of the half.
They found it just before the halftime whistle was blown, as a corner kick from Chris Valderama found Kyler Escobar.
But the Blue Eagles turned up their pressure in the second half, and it paid off as Dela Cruz headed in what turned out to be the match-winner in the 70th minute. Their defense held strong from there, denying desperate attempts from UST to extend their season.
"I am very happy that we are playing again in the Final, and, of course, this is one of our objectives: to play the last game in Season 87," said Merida.
Season hosts UP bagged the bronze medal, while UST finished its Cinderella run in fourth place.