THE UST Golden Booters yielded to the league-best Ateneo Blue Eagles, 2-0, in the first round of UAAP Season 87 men’s football tournament on Sunday, Oct. 20 at the UP Football Stadium.
Following the loss, UST finished the opening round with nine points. Meanwhile, Ateneo is still at the top of the standings with 15 points.
Blue Eagle Joaquin Collo hit a counter-strike in the 91st minute to cap off his team’s fifth win in a row.
Ateneo kicked off the match aggressively but UST goalkeeper Miguel Abada stood strong to deny striker Dov Cariño in the 14th minute.
The Golden Booters struggled to maintain their defensive pattern, giving the Blue Eagles more opportunities to score. However, shots from Ateneans Matti Roxas in the 26th minute and Cariño in the 32nd minute did not convert.
In the 40th minute, Atenep took advantage of UST’s loose defense as Cariño found an opening to break the deadlock, 1-0.
UST midfielder Archie Belluga almost handed the España squad’s first goal in the 70th minute, but it clipped the hands of goalkeeper Artuz Cezar.
Without a goal, UST failed to convert an indirect free kick in the 88th minute to give way for Ateneo to close it out.
The schedule for the second round is yet to be announced. F
