THE UST football teams suffered separate losses at the start the UAAP Season 77 football tournament last Nov. 30.
The Golden Booters were edged in a shootout with defending champion Far Eastern University (FEU) and absorbed a 4-7 defeat at the FEU-Diliman pitch.
UST team captain Gino Clarino converted his second penalty kick in the 70th minute while Steven Anotado connected on a long kick in the 74th mark to cut their deficit to two, 3-5.
But FEU’s Jesus Melliza delivered the dagger goal in the 75th minute on the other end of the pitch for a 6-3 advantage.
“They tried to comeback but we gave up easy goals after we scored. We have a good attacking team but we have to work on our defense,” said head coach Marjo Allado, whose team lost a bunch of veterans due to academic deficiencies.
In women’s play, the Lady Booters suffered a last-minute meltdown as De La Salle University carved out a 1-0 win at the Ateneo De Manila University pitch.
After a scoreless 90 minutes, Irish Navaja of La Salle outwitted UST goalkeeper Rara Luna to score the lone goal of the match in extra time.
UST's Darryl Ann Mendoza and Jena Abuan had good chances in the 87th and 88th minute, respectively, but were denied by La Salle’s goalie Inna Palacios.
“Sa dulo lang naman kami bumigay, siguro adjustment period pa lang. Pero sa performance ng team, lumaban talaga kahit ‘yung mga rookies,” women’s head coach JR Judal said.
