ROOKIE Dexter Chio did a heroic job for Far Eastern University (FEU) to regain the UAAP men’s football crown, defeating University of Santo Tomas (UST), 1-0, Sunday at the Ateneo field.
The prized Cotabato recruit unloaded a 75th minute goal to seal the Tamaraws' eighth league crown despite the absence of top scorer, former national team standout Jason Cordova.
Cordova, along with Romnick Jover and Joshua Almenar, served their suspensions Sunday after getting two yellow cards and an automatic ejection in the first game of the championship.
The Tamaraws also overcame the Tigers’ twice-to-beat advantage, who sported an immaculate card upon entering the finals.
“This is a great championship for us. Even though we have three players missing, we got the title," said FEU coach Rodolfo Alicante.
In 2009, the Morayta-based squad lost the crown to University of the Philippines (UP) despite enjoying a twice-to-beat advantage in the finals.
Cordova scored in the Tamaraws’ 1-0 win over the Tigers Thursday to send the series into a rubber match.
Graduating Jake Hugo bagged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors. Cordova won the Best Scorer plum while Francis Gustilo took the Best Midfielder trophy. Ronnie Aguisanda won the Best Goalkeeper accolade also for the Tamaraws.
David Basa of UST was adjudged as the season’s Best Defender.
In the women's division, De La Salle University dethroned Season 71 champions UST, 1-0.
Rookie striker Adrianne Yniguez unloaded a 56th minute goal to end La Salle's four-year title drought.
“I didn’t expect that we will contend for the title because of the injuries but credit the girls for stepping up," said De La Salle coach Hans Smit.
Lady Archers' Sam Nierras was adjudged as the tournament MVP and Best Midfielder while Yniguez copped the Rookie of the Year honors.
UST's Marianne Narciso was adjudged the Best Scorer while teammate Arlene Gavile won the Best Goalkeeper plum.
Overall, La Salle notched the league-leading eight crown but the first since the 2005-06 season. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)