STRIKER AJ Pasion’s late conversion propelled the UST Golden Booters to a 2-2 tie with the Far Eastern University Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 81 men’s football tournament at the FEU-Diliman pitch Thursday.
Pasion netted a desperation attempt just inches away from the halfway line in the 94th minute to save UST from suffering its first loss.
The Golden Booters remained atop of the standings with a 1-3-0 win-draw-loss record for seven points.
“The rhythm of the game changed sa second half noong naka-goal si [John Renz Saldivar]. Pero nakita namin ang attitude ng players na never say die talaga,” UST head coach Marjo Allado said.
Tamaraw Chester Pabualan broke the 1-all deadlock after outlasting a UST defender in the 82nd minute for a 2-1 advantage.
Conrado Dimacali III gave the Golden Booters and early 1-0 lead in the 28th minute, before Saldivar sneaked in an equalizer in the 52nd minute.
After UST’s first goal, Dimacali III fell down and failed to recover due to a collision with FEU goalie Dave Parac.
Allado said Dimacali III will be out of action indefinitely after suffering a right knee injury. He is scheduled to undergo magnetic resonance imaging later.
The Golden Booters will try to get a win against the University of the East Red Warriors on March 10, Sunday, 9 a.m., at the same venue.
