THE UST Junior Golden Booters stunned the 11-time defending champions FEU Diliman Baby Tamaraws, 2-0, in the UAAP Season 86 boys’ football tournament at the UP Diliman Football Pitch on Sunday, Jan. 28.
The win propelled UST to a 2-0-0 win-loss-draw record for the first spot, while FEU-D, which suffered its first loss since Feb. 3, 2019, dropped to a 1-1-0 slate.
FEU-D had its chances in the sixth and seventh minute of the first half via two attempts by Kent Pelarca and Edgar Aban, but both were denied by UST goalkeeper Edcel Lauron.
Junior Golden Booter Kristien Elopre drew first blood in the 15th minute to give UST a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Three Baby Tamaraws, Francois Napiza, James Torres, and Gian Lucha, were handed yellow cards in the second half.
Elopre completed his brace after converting a penalty kick in the 84th minute to seal UST’s win.
“Malaking boost sa team ko ‘yung panalo na ‘yan going into the next game. Mabo-boost ‘yung confidence nila going into the second round,” UST head coach Marjo Allado told the Varsitarian. “Defense-wise, ‘yung laro namin kanina is hindi sila nag-give up throughout the 95 minutes of play.”
“Yung goalkeeper [namin] is one of the best players. Medyo may swerte rin kaming kasama kasi ilang beses tinamaan ng FEU-D ‘yung bar and post.”
The Junior Golden Booters will next face the Ateneo Blue Eagles to conclude the first round of eliminations at the same venue on Feb. 4, Sunday, at 4:30 p.m.
