Moments after sending the ball into the back of the net, St. La Salle's Floriano Pasilan glanced at his teammates, took off his jersey and gleefully ran half the length of the field with his arms sideward, a trademark celebration for the prized striker. Had he taken off his shirt in regulation play, he would have been slapped an automatic yellow card.

But he just nailed the spotkick that paved the way for La Salle's third straight University Games title and, if only, for the fact that they overcame a tough battle with a gritty West Negros College squad Saturday afternoon, any kind of celebration would be warranted.

"The boys wanted to prove something after their loss in the NOPSSCEA," assistant coach Ramon Janeo, who called the shots for La Salle in place of Freddie Lazarito, told the DAILY STAR, after La Salle edged West Negros, 5-4, on penalties after 120 minutes of action ended scoreless.

The game bore similarities to the World Cup final won by Italy over France. Before Pasilan sealed the win, Jason Panhay, Carlos Bolo, Henderson Campo and Arnie Pasinabo all put their penalties beyond the reach of West Negros' Earl Tomodos.

The agony of missing a penalty in a final fell on Jehram Calvo, who shares the experience with France marksman David Trezeguet, whose penalty rattled the bar and fall short of the line. Calvo's penalty, taken in between Campo and Pasinabo's conversions, bounced off the post and went wide.

Victory was not a walk in the park for the La Sallians, who, along with veteran reinforcements, also beat West Negros on penalties in the Provincial Men's Open tournament last September.

Halfway through the University Games, La Salle was in a quandary on finding solutions to their goalkeeper woes with Roan Datulayta still struggling in his first year as the squad's first choice custodian.

But Janeo found the answer in right midfielder Miguel Gonzales, who played goalkeeper in the final three matches. "We wanted to address our weaknesses so we can match up well with West Negros. One of the weaknesses of this team is our goalkeeper," he said in Ilonggo.

Gonzales kept his poise in between the goal-posts and accounted for three clean sheets. Although he failed to save any shot during the shootout, Gonzales, who grimaced in pain each time he cleared the ball, made some brilliant saves on Robert Cañedo, Allan Auman and Siegfred Apurado in each half to keep La Salle in the game.

With Cañedo, Camilo Tacusalme and Joel Ballo-Allo all churning out impressive performances, West Negros, for their part, created the best chances on the game. Cañedo's shot from the left flank in extra time went straight into the hands of Gonzales, after Allan Auman and Siegfred Apurado also blew opportunities from close range.

Campo was lucky to finish the game without a booking, after he hung on to the jersey of an onrushing Cañedo, who would have escaped into the area for another clear-cut chance. Referee Arnel Sagansay signaled play on amid complaints from WNC players.

La Salle's victory comes after a disappointing NOPSSCEA campaign, where they finished third behind West Negros and the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos. The NOPSSCEA bid ended with a 3-0 defeat at the hands of WNC two weeks ago.

But as the cliché goes, the heart of champions can never be underestimated. And La Salle is no exception to that overused adage. *CPT

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