THE UST Golden Booters kept their Final Four hopes alive after outlasting the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 2-1, in the UAAP Season 81 men’s football tournament at the Far Eastern University-Diliman pitch Thursday.
AJ Pasion drilled in a screamer in the 78th minute to help UST improve to a 5-5-2 win-draw-loss card to tie University of the Philippines for third place with 20 points. Ateneo remained at solo second place with a 7-2-4 record for 23 points.
“We contained their top scorer Jarvey Gayoso well, and hindi namin siya nabigyan ng attempts. Good thing na lahat ng players natin, motivated,” Golden Booters head coach Marjo Allado said.
A howler by UST goalkeeper Zaldy Abraham in the 73rd minute tied the game at 1-all.
Glen Ramos netted a conversion in the 43rd minute to break the ice for the Golden Booters.
UST will have to win their final elimination round match against the National University to qualify for at least a playoff spot.
The Golden Booters will face the Bulldogs on Thursday, May 2, 3:30 p.m., at the same venue.
