Ateneo’s Joaquin Collo and Dov Cariño celebrate a goal during a UAAP Season 87 men’s football game against La Salle Green Booters. –UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Ateneo drew huge performances from Dov Cariño and goalkeeper Artus Cezar to pull off a 4-0 win over La Salle and secure the first Final Four berth in the UAAP Season 87 men’s football tournament Thursday at 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.

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“Of course 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.

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

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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 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 brilliant 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.