IT TOOK eight years for the title-hungry UST Golden Booters to finally kick down the mighty UP Fighting Maroons.
The Golden Booters bounced back big time from their opening game loss, stunning defending champions Fighting Maroons, 1-0, in the first round of the UAAP Season 87 men’s football at the UP Diliman Football Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 19.
UST, which won bronze last season, claimed its first victory after Golden Booter Kyler Ken Escobar broke through UP’s defense to score the match’s only goal in the 28th minute.
“Our battle here is all about mental toughness and heart,” UST team captain Miguel Abada told The Flame.
“UP are tough opponents, and it’s their home turf, so it’s really pressuring, but then I reminded my teammates to just play their game,” he added.
Despite the Diliman-based squad’s intense pressure in the second half, reigning UAAP best goalkeeper Abada anchored the España squad’s defense with his first clean sheet of the season.
The aggressiveness from both sides forced Golden Booters John Garcia and Chris Valderama to exit the field due to injuries.
After UST midfielder Archie Belluga received a yellow card, Abada followed suit later in the match.
“Mental, character, and discipline are the adjustments for this game,” Golden Booters assistant coach Arman Esteban said.
“They just wanted to bounce back because they had a bad game. They wanted to redeem themselves because they knew they didn’t play well against UE,” he added.
Improving to a 1-1 record, the Golden Booters will try to sustain its momentum when they face the DLSU Green Booters on October 6. F – Rishna Joy Maglinao
