THE UST Golden Booters turn back the UE Red Warriors, 3-0, in the UAAP Season 89 men’s football tournament on Sunday, Oct. 18, at the UP Diliman Football Field.
The victory improved UST to a 2-0-2 win-draw-loss record with six points, extending its winning streak to two matches after opening the season with back-to-back defeats, while UE remained winless after five outings.
UST rookie Joshua Balliner stunned UE with a goal just 10 seconds into the match, marking the earliest goal of this season.
“When Player #3 kicked the ball, I knew it was going to bounce. So, I just kicked it… it was like an instinct. I was so shocked, I didn’t expect it at all,” Balliner told The Flame.
Forward Trez Mariñas doubled UST’s advantage in the 14th minute, putting the Golden Booters ahead heading into halftime, 2-0.
CJ Songalia nearly extended UST’s lead in the 71st minute, but UE goalkeeper Mike Jhenard Cimat denied his attempt.
Six minutes later, Songalia found the back of the net with an assist by John Paul Selarde to cap UST’s 3-0 victory.
The Golden Booters look to sustain their winning momentum when they face the FEU Tamaraw Booters on Thursday, Oct. 22, at the same venue. F
