THE UST Golden Booters finished fourth after faltering against the defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles, 0-2, in the knockout semifinals match of the UAAP Season 85 men’s football tournament at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Thursday.
After being swept by UST in the elimination round, Ateneo avenged its losses to punch its finals ticket for a chance to defend its title.
Gabriel Maquiling’s indirect free kicks in the 45+1 and 54th minutes allowed Kofi Agyei and Galen Fernandez to convert their respective goals for a commanding 2-0 lead.
UST head coach Marjo Allado said that the Golden Booters were unable to retaliate after being “demoralized” by the first-half goal of Ateneo.
“Kung titingnan kanina, na-demoralize ‘yung [UST] players after that first goal [of Ateneo]. Parang hindi nag-coordinate ‘yung players even if we replaced some of them,” Allado told the Varsitarian.
“No’ng second half, they tried to dominate Ateneo but they lacked ‘yung shots on goal. Marami kaming crosses pero wala kaming attempts,” he added.
Allado said the team would come back stronger in the next season.
“Para sa akin, this team is composed of young players pero they achieved something this season na nakapasok sila sa top four. Playing against Ateneo, mga graduating na yan, tapos most of our players kanina are rookies,” he said.
UST’s graduating students include Miguel Abada, Abrielle Belgira, Stephen Marasigan, Rafael Gorre, Brian Baylon, Jhon Azares, Andrew Ramos, and Daniel Nartey.
They have yet to decide whether to exhaust their playing years or forgo their UAAP stints.
