The UST Junior Golden Booters are headed to the finals for the first time.
The Junior Golden Booters secured a finals berth after tying with the De La Salle Zobel Junior Green Booters 2-2 in the UAAP Season 86 boys’ football tournament on Saturday, Feb. 17, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch.
Trailing 2-1 with added time in the second half, DLSZ’s Bacchus Dwyn Ekberg scored the game-tying free kick in the 88th minute after UST’s Jarod Punzalan committed a crucial foul on the defensive end.
“Siguro dahil sa game na rin na last-minute at medyo pagod na, nagkaroon siya ng error na foul and naka score si La Salle,” UST assistant coach David Basa told the Varsitarian.
Junior Golden Booter Yuan Maniscan drew first blood in the 25th minute to deliver the early momentum for UST.
DLSZ’s Julio Antonio Yoldi delivered the first equalizer after hitting a goal in the 45th minute, just as the first half was about to end.
UST responded immediately in the second half with Kent de la Peña scoring in the 47th minute for a 2-1 cushion.
The undefeated Junior Golden Booters, who are already qualified for the championship match, remain atop the standings with a 3-0-2 win-loss-draw tally. DLSZ stands at 2-2-1.
“Next game against FEU, aalagaan na lang namin ‘yong cards namin, ‘yong physicality and mentality ng players, kasi pasok na kami sa finals,” Basa said.
The Junior Golden Booters will conclude the elimination round against the 11-time defending champions FEU Diliman Baby Tamaraws on Friday, Feb. 23, at 6:30 p.m., at the same venue. Jose Gabriel V. Ignacio
