Joaquin Collo continued his impressive run, assisting on both goals in De La Salle University’s 2–0 win over the University of the East to send his side to the top of the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament on Thursday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

The former Ateneo de Manila University recruit found his finishers in either half as La Salle moved into solo possession of the lead with six points and a plus-five goal difference, just ahead of idle Far Eastern University, University of the Philippines, and Adamson University.

Adamson will have a chance to join La Salle at the top of the standings when it takes on Ateneo de Manila University later in the evening.

(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team

Collo spotted Marlou Gaverza’s run from the flank in the eighth minute, setting up the go-ahead goal and giving the Green Booters an early boost.

The midfielder then showed composure inside the box in the 53rd minute, tapping the ball into the path of substitute Lance Locsin, who made no mistake in converting the insurance goal.

Despite the victory, head coach Richard Leyble wants to see more determination from his wards as they look to build on their return to the Final Four last season.

“For me, today, maybe we didn’t play well with our preparations. I don’t know what happened but it’s still a win eh; it’s still three points,” he said.

“But still, we’re still focused on what we prepared for this tournament [and] for this season with what we learned from last season. So I told my players to always focus on every game, kung ano yung objectives namin para [for] this tournament,” said the second-year mentor.

(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team

La Salle will try to remain atop the standings when it faces FEU in Sunday’s triple-header opener at 2 p.m.

On the other hand, the Red Warriors can take pride in their defensive effort after conceding just two goals against the Green Booters, following their disappointing 10–0 defeat to the Tamaraws last Sunday.

UE had a huge chance to score its first goal of the season, but Francis Maturan’s attempt in the 58th minute sailed over the bar.

The Red Warriors remained in seventh place with a second straight defeat and a minus-12 goal difference. They will take on the Soaring Falcons on Sunday at 7 p.m.

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When Joaquin Collo set the tone for De La Salle University in its 3-0 shutout of archrival Ateneo de Manila University last Sunday in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament, his goal came with a mix of emotions.

Collo, who played for Ateneo in Season 87 before serving his residency at La Salle last year, opened the floodgates for the Green Booters just nine minutes into the match after they forced the Blue Eagles into a mistake while playing out from the back.

After the final whistle and the traditional singing of the school hymns, the emotions settled in for the 20-year-old midfielder, who admitted it felt bittersweet to score against the program he once called home.

“It felt great,” said Collo.

“I felt adrenaline from the goal and for the team, but it felt sad also because I scored against my team before.”

Although he came from La Salle Green Hills, it was his connection with head coach Richard Leyble that ultimately brought him back to the green and white.

His transition to La Salle was seamless thanks to their shared history, having played under Leyble in various PFF tournaments and in the Stallion youth program. When a roster spot opened up, Leyble reached out directly.

“Coach Richard told me that there was an opening. He told me to just come and train with us,” said Collo, who described the experience as

“Nostalgic because it’s the same coach, same strategies.”

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

Despite switching sides in the rivalry, Collo made sure to leave Katipunan on good terms.

“I had a good exit with them, the coaches and the players. I still love them. They’re still family,” Collo noted.

Off the pitch, Collo continues to navigate the usual adjustments of being a transfer student-athlete, balancing his studies with his training schedule.

Integrating into the La Salle locker room, however, proved to be more straightforward. Existing bonds with former club teammates helped him settle in quickly and provided added motivation heading into last Sunday’s match against Ateneo.

“It’s a must because in La Salle also, I made a family and some of them were, like, former teammates from other clubs,” he said.

With the derby win in the books, Collo and the Green Booters have turned their focus to the rest of Season 89. While La Salle aims to end a championship drought dating back to the 1990s, the squad understands that there is still a long road ahead.

For now, the priority is maintaining consistency throughout the elimination round to secure a top-two finish and the crucial twice-to-beat advantage — a key edge that would put the Green Booters within striking distance of a December final.

“We want to achieve that Final Four again and hopefully win the championship,” Collo said, adding,

“We’re targeting the championship for Season 89.”

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De La Salle University’s “Batch 122” continues to be the gift that keeps on giving.

After leading the Lady Spikers to their 13th championship last May with a flawless 16-0 sweep of the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament, senior standouts Angel Canino, Shevana Laput, Amie Provido, and Lyka De Leon gave head coach Ramil De Jesus what he considers his greatest gift yet by choosing to stay for one final collegiate season.

Nearly two months later, De Jesus remains overwhelmed with gratitude and joy over the decision of his veteran quartet.

“Ayun yung pinakaswerteng natanggap ko na regalo ng mga seniors ko na nagstay sila for the team, and hindi kaagad nagmadaling mag pro,” said the legendary coach on Monday during the Collegiate Press Corps Awards Night at Discovery Suites Manila.

“Bihira yung ganoong seniors na ang mentality na hindi pansarili yung iniintindi kundi ang team. Kasi sabi nga nila hindi mo na mababalikan yung college days mo pagka nag-pro ka na.”

For De Jesus, it is not only their decision to stay that makes the four special, but also the commitment and selflessness they display every day in training.

Their return for UAAP Season 89 gives La Salle a significant boost as the Lady Spikers aim to defend their title and capture back-to-back championships.

“Mahabang bakasyon yung ginawa [ng players] kasi wala ka namang mahihiling sa mga bata kapag talagang nagpokus, nandoon naman yung focus nila eh,” said the decorated tactician.

“Yun siguro yung mga nawala nung mga unang seniors ko na iba-iba yung goal nila. Ito kasing mga naiwan, eh iisa yung goal, eh magkakabatch kasi. May mga times kasi na may mga ahead sa kanila, pero iba naman yung goal. Ito kasi iisa eh, iiba yung sisterhood nila.”

After falling short of the title in two consecutive seasons, La Salle reclaimed the championship in dominant fashion in Season 88. Now, with its championship core intact, the Lady Spikers are determined to defend their crown against every challenger.

“Yung bawat game naman dumadaan eh, so kung ano yung kahinatnan ng game, kung kulang yung preparation mo eh maghabol ka, pero kung nandoon ka sa itaas, eh di ikaw yung habulin. Ganon kasimple,” said De Jesus.

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