Golden Booters carve double runner-up finishes

THE UST Lady Booters waltzed their way to a do-or-die game but stumbled in the end against the Far Eastern University (FEU), 1-0, in Game 3 of the UAAP women’s football finals at the Ateneo de Manila University Erenchun Field last March 6.>

Small but terrible Frea Fado played big for FEU as she struck the winning goal in the 16th minute from a Sharmaigne Saluria assist, scraping past keeper Zipporah Luna. UST played without Nikki Regalado, while FEU missed the services of Jayneth Mercado, who were both ejected from the match in Game 2.>

“It was not really meant for us,” said coach Rozano Estrabon, who led UST to its first-ever championship in 2009 during his coaching debut for the women’s squad.>

“We had a lot of missed attempts. Ang mindset nila one game lang” he added.>

Prior to the finals, UST poised to enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage, but the UAAP board decided to make it a best-of-three series in response to the protest made by FEU that both teams were tied in terms of points.>

Both teams capped the elimination phase at the top spot with a 5-1-2 win-draw-loss card, but there was confusion on the tie-breaks.>

UST made up for the loss with special awards. Marriane Narciso was hailed as the Best Striker, Luna as the Best Goalkeeper, and Pearl Aguilar as the Rookie of the Year.>

The Lady Booters lost to the Morayta-based strikers in the opening game of the finals, 2-to-nil, via a penalty shootout after a scoreless draw in regulation time and two extra periods last February 27.>

UST tied the series after copping Game 2, 1-0, courtesy of Jowe-Ann Barruga’s header at the 15th minute of the game.>

Twice the misery

An erratic UST Golden Booters missed the formula in conquering the law of averages against twice-to-beat University of the Philippines (UP), a team they were yet to defeat in the eliminations this season, 2-1, in the UAAP men’s football finals last February 27.>

UP redeemed itself from a winless basketball spell as they went home with the football championship after parading an unblemished record in Season 73.>

“There were a lot of errors at the start and the players were slow to react at the defensive end,” said coach Marjo Allado, who steered UST to another finals appearance only to be beaten by Far Eastern University despite a twice-to-beat incentive.> >

The Golden Booters got a lot of scoring opportunities in the second half, but they had a problem in converting those attempts into points.>

Ghana booter Nii Aryee Ayi scored the first goal for UP from long range in the 31st minute off a sensational feed from teammate Gerardo Valmayor.>

Valmayor, this year’s Rookie of the Year and Best Striker, broke the hearts of the Golden Booters with his ninth goal in the season at the 51st minute that caught UST goalie Ramon Borigas off-guard, 2-0.>

But UST was yet to raise the white flag, with ace striker Javier Clarino firing a breathtaking penalty kick in the 60th minute due to a handball violation by Miguel Roy inside the box.>

Season 72 best rookie Christian de Juan, Mar Mungcal and Clarino tried to kick in three straight desperation shots that went off the mark for UST as time expired.>

Golden Booter Shinmar Felongco was named as the Best Midfielder.>

Meanwhile, Philippine football team mainstay David Basa, who kissed the UAAP goodbye, said he had no regrets in choosing to play for UST before his graduation.>

“This is really my target for my last year in UST, and despite the loss, I’m still proud of my teammates because reaching this far is already hard. After this, I’d be going back to the ‘Azkals’,” he said>. With reports from Angelo Nonato P. Cabrera