THE UST Junior Golden Booters crushed the De La Salle Zobel Junior Green Booters, 4-1, to kick off their UAAP Season 86 boys’ football tournament campaign at the UP Diliman Football Pitch on Sunday, Jan. 21.
UST’s Rodrigo Marinas drew first blood in the third minute before a goal in the 21st minute by DLSZ’s Julio Yoldi tied the game at 1-all.
Junior Golden Booter Kent de la Peña broke the tie in the 38th minute, then Lance Locsin completed a brace in the 43rd and 50th minutes to give UST a three-point lead.
La Salle had its chances in the second half with free kicks by Justin Concepcion and Bacchus Exberg, but both were denied by UST’s goalkeeper Edcel Lauron.
Exberg was also called for a yellow card in the second half after pushing Junior Golden Booter midfielder Dwight Pancho to the ground.
“Marami pa kami kailangan i-work on. Ita-tackle namin this week ‘yung adjustments kasi karamihan sa players ay rookies e,” UST assistant coach David Basa told the Varsitarian. “Yung willingness nila to win talaga, so nakita ‘yon sa kanilang lahat in today’s win.”
“Kay Lance Locsin, expected naman kasi may experience na ito sa PFL. Pero at least, napakita niya ngayon kung saan talaga importante.”
The UST Junior Golden Booters will next face the 11-time defending champions FEU Baby Tamaraws at the same venue on Jan. 28, Sunday, at 4 p.m.
