THE UST Junior Golden Booters endured their first loss against the 11-time defending champions FEU Diliman Baby Tamaraws, 3-0, in the UAAP Season 86 boys’ football tournament at the UP Diliman Football Pitch on Friday, Feb. 23.
The Junior Golden Booters, who qualified for the boys’ football finals for the first time, will face FEU in the knockout finals at the same venue on Thursday, Feb. 29, at 5:30 p.m.
UST head coach Marjo Allado said he chose to play his reserves to give them more exposure, rather than risking injuries or receiving penalty cards by playing his key players, especially with the finals approaching.
“Second stringers lang ‘yung pinalaro ko dito (ngayon) sa UST e so yung mga key players, sinave ko na sila,” he told the Varsitarian. “Mahirap na. Mamaya magka-yellow card pa sila in this non-bearing game.”
The tactician said he also took this game as a chance to let his other players gain traction before they face the Baby Tamaraws in the finals next week.
“We’re also happy na ang ganda ng laro nila (reserves),” he said. “Ang pinaka-importante rito, ‘yong mga key players namin are ready for the championship.”
Theo Libarnes drew first blood in the fifth minute. Shortly after, Baby Tamaraw James Torres followed and scored a goal in the 18th minute to give FEU a 2-0 lead at halftime.
UST almost had its first point late in the second half but was swatted away by Baby Tamaraws goalkeeper Gianne Abara.
Bryan Villanueva made the finishing touches for FEU by nailing a penalty goal in the 76th minute.
