THE INJURY-hit UST Golden Booters and nine-man FEU Tamaraws battled to a 1-1 draw in the UAAP Season 88 men’s football tournament on Sunday, Oct. 5, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch.
FEU’s Mark Absalon and RJ Pescadera were both sent off following their dangerous tackles against UST’s John Baito in the 45th and 49th minutes, respectively.
Golden Booters captain Sam Alegre suffered an injury early in the match, marking the first of three injuries that happened in the match.
UST head coach Marjo Allado was thankful for the draw but felt like his team should’ve won the match.
“We drew tonight but as a coach the team feels feels like we really lost,” Allado told The Flame.
“We already struck first and the advantage was already there for the players because FEU had two red cards already,” he added.
An offside trap from the Tamaraws early in the match caught a Kyler Escobar breakaway offside during the 19th minute of play to keep it square between the U-Belt rivals.
FEU’s high line of defense soon paid the price as a cross from Escobar later found the cleats of Archie Belluga, who chipped the ball into the net for UST at the 27th minute, 1-0.
An additional 11 minutes of extra time saw main referee Krizmark Naniola get subbed out due to an injury following a collision against two Golden Booters.
Czam Acuesta found a chance to equalize in the 48th minute but was thwarted by UST’s Daic at the goal.
Baito went for a goal in the 56th minute but collided with FEU goalie Mon Diansuy in a second attempt for a goal.
Acuesta equalized for the Tamaraws in the 62nd minute after dancing through a stunned UST defense, 1-1.
Jared Punzalan left the game on a stretcher in the 74th minute due to an injury, leaving the Golden Booters down to 10 men as they have depleted their substitutions.
Chris Valderama found Baito in the 87th minute but failed to convert to leave the match levelled.
The Golden Booters now hold a 1-2-1 record and are set to face off against the UP Fighting Maroons on Thursday, Oct. 16, in the same venue. F – with reports from Mc Neil Zyh Serrano
