THE UST Golden Booters suffered one of their most disappointing losses in recent memory, falling 2-1 to the Adamson Soaring Falcons, who clinched their first victory in five years on Sunday during the UAAP Season 87 men’s football tournament at UP Diliman Football Pitch.
This game marked Adamson’s first win in UAAP men’s football since April 4, 2019, a victory also achieved against UST. The Golden Booters slipped to a 4-4 win-loss record but maintained their fourth-place position, while Adamson improved to 1-7.
“Disappointing look for us. ‘Yong laro namin parang hindi Thomasian athletes,” UST head coach Marjo Allado told the Varsitarian.
The Golden Booters conceded two goals in the first half, courtesy of Marlon Dasig’s penalty kick in the 20th minute and Roberto Roldan’s conversion in the 36th minute.
“Talagang nakaka-disappoint unang half pa lang. ‘Yong attitude ng players iba ngayon. Ang daming opportunities to defend pero nakakalusot pa rin. Kulang sa disiplina kami,” Allado said. “Wala kaming nagawa sa Adamson kasi kahit anong game plan at strategy namin, kung ganoon ‘yong game decisions ng players sa loob, mawawala kami sa laro.”
After their lackluster first half, the Golden Booters shifted gears and pushed their offense in the second half to create more opportunities at the box.
The Soaring Falcons had to make do without defender KC Napili, who was ejected in the 71st minute.
UST then recorded its first goal in the 73rd minute via John Paul Selarde’s kick but had to work for most of its opportunities down the stretch as Adamson overloaded the box, blocking most of the Golden Booters’ looks.
The Soaring Falcons were down to eight players on the field during stoppage time due to a series of injuries. Despite this advantage in numbers, the Golden Booters couldn’t break through Adamson’s defense and missed the chance to score before the final whistle blew.
Despite the loss, UST ended the game with 15 corner kicks, while Adamson had none. The Golden Booters also took 17 shots throughout the match, outshooting the Falcons by nine attempts.
“We had everything there sa second half pero ‘yong choices talaga ng players, talagang na-frustrate kami,” Allado said.
“We kept telling na huwag i-force kasi lamang tayo sa tao, pero—hindi ko alam kung hindi kami naririnig—pinipilit pa rin ‘yong long ball instead na maging deliberate kami,” he added.
The Golden Booters will look to bounce back against the FEU Tamaraws on Thursday, Nov. 14, at the same venue.
