THE UST Golden Booters collapsed in the second half and fell to a streaking Far Eastern University (FEU) squad, 1-3, in the UAAP football tournament at the FEU-Diliman field last Dec. 3.
With the match tied, 1-1, at the end of the first half, the Tamaraws broke the game open in the next half with relentless offense.
FEU picked up the pace and continuously attacked UST’s defense until Jesus Melliza scored a goal in the 62nd minute.
The Golden Booters had a chance for an equalizer less than two minutes later, but Ronald Batisla-ong missed on his penalty kick.
“The momentum could have shifted to our side had the penalty kick gone in,” coach Marjo Allado said.
FEU stood its ground and denied UST’s attempts thereafter, before Melliza put the game away for good with another goal in the 89th minute.
The Tamaraws got off to a good start, scoring the opening goal in the 13th minute. UST later responded with a Patrick O’Neill goal in the 36th minute.
In their previous game last Nov. 29, the Golden Booters could not execute a late rally against Ateneo de Manila University, 0-1.
O'Neill made one last attempt at an equalizer, but his shot went over the goal.
Blue Eagle Jacobo Lorenzo scored the lone goal of the match in the 26th minute for Ateneo’s first win of the season.
"They didn't play as a team. They were not following instructions in the first half, that's why Ateneo scored," Allado said. "We were not supposed to play long ball, we preferred to play ground ball."
