THE UST Golden Booters crushed the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 6-1, to secure a Final Four ticket in the UAAP Season 86 men’s football tournament at the UP Diliman Football Pitch on Thursday, April 25.
After snagging their fourth win in five outings, the Golden Booters booked the third Final Four slot with 20 points on a 6-3-2 win-loss-draw record, while Adamson ended its Season 86 campaign with a 0-9-3 card.
Tarsish Garciano, who led UST with a hat trick, drew first blood in the 29th minute to give UST the early lead.
The Golden Booters went on an offensive barrage in the second half, scoring five goals including four four in a 12-minute span.
Chris Valderama set the tone for UST’s second-half explosion, netting a long volley in the 65th minute and completing a brace in the 69th minute.
Garciano converted a screamer in the 74th minute for his second goal, before assisting UST substitute Francis Botavara for the same three minutes later.
Adamson scored its lone goal in the 85th minute via a penalty conversion by Angel Barra.
During the added time of the match, Garciano completed his hat trick to bury the Falcons.
“Iyong substitutes ang nag-change ng outcome and tempo ng laro, especially ‘yong contributions ni Garciano kasi hat trick siya ngayon at quality ang finishing niya,” UST head coach Marjo Allado told the Varsitarian.
Despite securing a semifinals berth in their penultimate game of the season, Allado said that the Golden Booters should still show quality play against UP to gain momentum heading into the semifinals.
“If you want to play sa championship, kailangan ‘yong last game sa elimination round, even if it’s a non-bearing game, we have to take it seriously kasi hindi pwedeng ganoon kapag pupunta ka ng semifinals,” Allado said.
The UST Golden Booters will conclude the elimination round against the Final Four-bound UP Fighting Maroons at the same venue on April 28, Sunday, at 6:30 p.m. with reports from Albert Earl A. Gomez.
