Gio Pabualan shone as Far Eastern University-Diliman beat De La Salle-Zobel, 4-2, via penalties after a 1-1 draw at extra time to annex its eighth consecutive crown Thursday night in the UAAP Season 80 juniors football tournament at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Showcasing his wares on national TV, Pabualan capped a checkered high school career by slotting in the championship-clinching spot kick for the Baby Tamaraws.
It was also Pabualan who opened the scoring for FEU, producing solid technique in the 15th minute.
Aside from winning the Best Striker honors, Pabualan went home with the season MVP award.
Other FEU awardees were French Talaroc (Best Defender) and Jason Blanco (Best Goalkeeper). De La Salle-Zobel’s Shanden Vergara emerged as the Best Midfielder, while the Fair Play Award went to Ateneo.