Booters seek end to semis jinx

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Photo by Michael Angelo M. Reyes

PARADING an intact core this Season 80, the UST Golden Booters still need to solve their semifinal puzzle for another crack at the UAAP men’s football championship they last won in 2007.

For the past two seasons, UST got booted out in the semifinals by powerhouses and eventual championsUniversity of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University.

Golden Booters head coach Marjo Allado said the team’s defensive lapses last semifinals against Ateneo took its toll but this year, the team is more ready to compete.

Nagdominate kami noong second half (last semis) perohindi pumasok ang mga attempts,” Allado said. So anyway, yung team na ‘to, ready na for UAAP and lahatmakakalaro kasi walang deficiencies.

However, Allado said the team needs to improve on its ball-sharing and avoid errant passing, an area the Booterstried to polish in their pre-season tournaments.

During the offseason, UST reigned in the 5th Pinas Cup last Oct. 28 to 31, outlasting Ateneo and NCAA powerhouse San Beda. 

The Booters are also the defending champions in the ongoing Ang Liga tournament where they are currently at seventh place with a 3-1-4 win-draw-loss slate.

“Good experience din ‘yung sa preseason, so sanamakatulong ngayon sa UAAP in terms of confidence ng players para tumaas pa,” Allado said.

During his stint as interim head coach of professional football team Global FC last MayAllado said he had no trouble training the Booters simultaneously because of the similarity of training mechanics the clubs use.

Mga training sessions doon tsaka dito is almost the same. The only difference is yung players kasi yung players doon mas experienced compared mo dito,” Allado said.

Veteran striker Steven Anotado will return to the lineup after missing out two seasons due to a string of injuries.

Aside from Anotado, the Booters will lean on veterans AJ Passion Marvin BricenioAljireh Fuchigami and ConradoDimacali to help out Anotado in scoring duties.

With the UAAP football tournament starting on February, Allado is confident of his team’s chances.

Lahat naman makakapag-laro so sana walang ma-injurebefore the UAAP,” Allado said. 

Graduating player Jopridale Molino and veteran Ian de Castro were appointed co-captains for Season 80.

With eight players graduating this season, Molino wants to reach the last dance before closing his collegiate football career.

Ito na yung last namin kaya ibubuhos na namin para kahit sa limang taon naminmay makuha kaming championship,” Molino said.

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