The UST Golden Booters kept their semifinals bid alive after trouncing the UE Red Warriors, 3-1, in the UAAP Season 85 men’s football tournament at the UP Diliman Football Stadium on Thursday.
UST is still in the sixth spot of the standings with a total of 13 points behind a three-way tie of the FEU Tamaraws, UP Fighting Maroons, and UE Red Warriors, which had 15 points. The DLSU Green Archers and the Ateneo Blue Eagles were tied at 17 points.
Golden Booters Vanne Jintula and Richard Songalia converted in the 25th and 35th minutes to give UST a 2-1 lead at halftime.
Andrew Ramos came off the bench and delivered the game-sealing goal in the 98th minute.
UST’s goalkeeper Miguel Abada fended off two Red Warrior goal attempts in the second half.
“Nagkaroon ng miscommunication with the backline kaya naka-goal sila (UE). Pero bumawi naman kami sa second half ng game,” Abada told the Varsitarian. “Good work kasi hindi sila (Golden Booters) bumigay at pinush nila ‘yung limit para makalaro.”
Red Warrior Jerome Abarca was the lone provider for UE after drawing first blood in the ninth minute of the match.
UST improved to a 4-1-5 win-draw-loss record, while UE fell to a 4-3-3 slate.
UST head coach Marjo Allado said this win gave the Golden Booters their much needed motivation for their next game against the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
“After tonight’s game, ‘yung players mas motivated pa sila to play against Ateneo kasi they know na may chance para sa top four,…buhay na buhay. Kailangan talaga namin ng must-win sa remaining games,” Allado told the Varsitarian.
The UST Golden Booters will next face the Blue Eagles at the same venue on Sunday, April 23, at 4:30 p.m.
