The UST Golden Booters are entering Season 87 determined to finally break through the UAAP semifinals wall after being stuck with consecutive fourth-place finishes, according to head coach Marjo Allado.
Allado said last season’s heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to eventual champions, the UP Fighting Maroons, has fueled the team’s drive for revenge and redemption this year.
“Siyempre gutom ‘yong mga batang bumawi. Hindi biro ‘yong nangyari last year,” he told the Varsitarian. “Mentality talaga nila ngayon is mahigitan kung ano ‘yong nagawa na namin.”
“’Yong target talaga is to move up and makapasok ka sa championship,” he added. “Pero, hindi lang talaga pagpasok ng championship — ‘yong championship na talaga ‘yong kukunin namin.”
UST last won the men’s football championship in 2007 during Season 69 and has fallen short in the semifinals for the past two seasons.
Returning this season are key players like goalkeeper Miguel Abada, Sam Alegre, Archie Belluga, Kyler Escobar, Jarred Troy Reggis, Chris Valderama, and Tarshish Garciano, all of whom were instrumental in last season’s campaign. Abada will continue to serve as the team’s anchor.
New additions to the lineup include Renan Ballespin, Angelou Casas, Nathan Lingatong, Jeyrold Obedencio, Edgar Paredes III, and Carsten Pumareja, brought in to bolster the squad.
Unlike previous seasons, the UAAP football tournaments will now take place in the first semester, shortening the usual preseason preparation.
Allado expects strong competition, especially from UP’s national player-filled roster, but he assures that the Golden Booters are eager to fight.
“Kung titignan mo lahat ng UAAP teams, malalakas. Para sa amin, ‘yong challenge lagi sa amin sa UAAP nandiyan,” he said. “’Yong readiness ng team to play for UAAP, nandiyan na, ‘yong puso nila to win matches nandiyan, nakikita rin namin.”
The Golden Booters will kick off their Season 87 campaign against the UE Red Warriors at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15, at the UP Diliman Football Gymnasium. Rob Andrew L. Dongiapon
