THE UST Golden Booters concluded their campaign outside the podium as they faltered against the top-ranked Ateneo Blue Eagles, 2-1, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s football semifinals on Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
After last season’s bronze finish, UST slipped down to fourth place as it capped off the eliminations with a 4-6-2 win-loss-draw standing.
“I saw no character and school representation in their game,” UST head coach Marjo Allado told The Flame, expressing his disappointment with his team’s performance.
“We want a team that loses but fights, not one that loses without even trying… As coaches, we’re very disappointed,” he added.
The Blue Eagles opened the scoring when midfielder Leo Maquiling blasted a strike past UST’s goalkeeper Miguel Abada in the 13th minute, 1-0.
UST responded at the last minute of the first half after winger Kyler Escobar turned the tide with a strike to put the game at a 1-all deadlock.
Escobar was then handed a yellow card after taking his jersey off in a celebratory frenzy following the goal.
In the second half, Blue Eagle Jet dela Cruz slotted in a header in the 70th minute, pushing Ateneo’s advantage to 2-1.
UST striker TJ Garciano had five attempts, including one in stoppage time, to equalize but failed to convert any.
The España squad’s momentum fell off after winger Chris Valderama and John Selarde were forced off the field due to injuries.
Golden Booter skipper Abada is set to graduate this season. The squad will also lose the services of Garciano and Andrew Ramos IV.
New football champions will be crowned as Ateneo is set to take on the FEU Tamaraws, who booted out the defending champions UP Fighting Maroons, in the finals. F – Rishna Joy Maglinao
