THE UST Junior Golden Booters were outclassed in their first boys’ football finals appearance, suffering a 3-0 defeat against the defending champions FEU Diliman Baby Tamaraws at the UP Diliman Football Pitch on Thursday, Feb. 29.
FEU notched its 12th straight championship after blanking UST.
Junior Golden Booters goalkeeper Edcel Lauron denied two early FEU attempts, but Baby Tamaraw Kian Niu broke through and drew first blood in the 18th minute.
Down 1-0 after halftime, UST had a chance to tie the game in the opening of the second half, but team captain Kiel Elopre failed to capitalize on a free kick.
FEU’s Theo Libarnes took advantage of UST’s crumbling defense to score in the 54th minute.
In the 79th minute, Jacob Keleghan delivered the goal that sealed the deal for FEU.
Lauron clinched the Best Goalkeeper award, while Kent de la Peña was named Best Midfielder.
“History is history. We played in the finals for the first time, pero ngayon lumabas ‘yong experience talaga ng FEU,” UST head coach Marjo Allado told the Varsitarian. “Proud kami sa players, ‘yong leadership ni Kiel Elopre and Trez Mariñas napakaganda at tinaas nila ‘yong bar.”
UST will miss the services of Elopre, Mariñas and De la Peña, alongside graduating players Jose Gabriel Solangco, Allisson Calo, Gene Yancgo, John Lagahit and Sean Francisco next season.
