Feb. 8, 2015, 9:25 p.m. – AFTER winning big against
University of the East last week, the UST Golden Booters stumbled against
league-leading University of the Philippines, 1-4, in the second round of the
UAAP Season 77 men’s football tournament at the FEU-Diliman pitch Sunday.
The Golden Booters’ two-game run came to an end and dropped
to a 4-7 win-loss card. UST’s chances of another trip to the Final Four are now
slim to none.
UST had a horrific end to its first half after allowing the
Maroons to score all of their goals within the last five minutes, sparked by a
connection by UP’s Gerardo Valmayor in the 41st minute.
“Nag-collapse ‘yung defense natin sa first half,”
assistant coach Carlos Santiago said. “Ang Final Four sa’tin ngayon ay
suntok sa buwan. Ang hinahabol natin ngayon ‘yung fifth place.”
Steven Anotado scored the lone goal for UST in the 71st
minute to avoid a complete shutout.
The Golden Booters had a chance to draw first blood but
failed to convert a free kick in the 39th minute.
In their match against UE last Feb. 1, the Golden Booters
blanked the Red Warriors, 3-0, at the Moro Lorenzo field in Ateneo.
With UST already ahead, 2-0, reserve Marc Rivera scored an
easy goal against the UE golie in the 88th minute to end the match.
Rookie Gabriel Alcantara scored the first goal for the
Golden Booters as he found the net in the 13th minute.
Seven minutes later, striker Steven Anotado scored another
goal off a curled-in kick that passed by two UE defenders.
The Golden Booters will next face National University on
Feb. 12, Thursday, at the same venue. Karl Cedrick G. Basco
