THE UST Golden Booters demolished the winless UE Red Warriors, 5-1, in the UAAP Season 89 men’s football tournament on Sunday, Nov. 8, at the UP Diliman Football Field.
Rookie Joshua Balliner powered the dominant victory with an impressive hat-trick to bolster the Golden Booters’ Final Four bid.
UST improves to a 4-2-2 win-draw-loss record with 14 points, retaining fourth place.
UST struck early in the 9th minute, as Balliner charged towards the box and struck a shot to the bottom left corner, putting up an early 1-0 advantage.
However, the Recto squad quickly retaliated, as a Bryan Benegian through pass to Kieth Hermoso led to a UE goal in the 13th minute, tying things up at 1-all.
Balliner continued his barrage in the 18th minute with another conversion, this time from a cross by John Paul Selarde, putting the Golden Booters ahead once again, 2-1.
In the 29th minute, Carsten Pumareja hit a long-range half-volley score all the way from the edge of the box, after UE goalkeeper Mhike Cimat failed to corral a deflected ball, building a 3-1 cushion for the España crew.
RJ Songalia nearly made it four for UST in the 44th minute to conclude the half, but ended up hitting the post instead.
After a momentary dry spell at goal in the second half, midfielder Novie Paraiso broke the drought, striking a high-arcing shot from the left wing in the 62nd minute off of Songalia’s assist, to further pad UST’s margin to 4-1.
Balliner completed his hat-trick with a powerful strike to the top right corner from outside the box, sealing the deal for the Golden Booters, 5-1, in the 82nd minute.
The Golden Booters will look to build on their momentum when they face the La Salle Green Booters on Thursday, Nov. 12, at the same venue. F
