THE UST Golden Booters fell just short of ending their nine-year finals drought, bowing to the reigning champions FEU Tamaraws, 3-2, in the UAAP Season 88 men’s football semifinals on Friday, Feb. 13, at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
With the defeat, the Golden Booters returned to the podium in third place.
UST last reached the finals in Season 80, while its most recent title came in Season 69 in 2007.
“Overall, we saw and appreciated the effort the boys put in… they truly wanted to find that goal, force a draw and extend the game,” UST head coach Marjo Allado said postgame.
“We are all satisfied with the players’ performance and the heart they showed in these semifinals. It simply wasn’t our night tonight… We’re going back to the drawing board and moving forward from here,” he added.
The Tamaraws wasted no time asserting control to start the game, as Selwin Mamon opened the scoring in the 5th minute after calmly slotting the ball into the net, 1-0.
FEU doubled its advantage in the 14th minute when Czam Acuesta whipped in a cross from the left flank that Karl Absalon met with a firm header inside the box for a 2-0 advantage.
The España squad tried to respond off a set piece, but Japjap Baito’s attempt failed to capitalize in the 18th minute.
UST finally pulled one back in the 34th minute as captain Kyler Escobar’s right-sided cross slipped through into the net, 2-1.
The Morayta-based squad unleashed three more attempts on goal, all of which were denied by UST goalkeeper Mark Daig to keep the scoreline within reach heading into the break.
UST continued to rely on set pieces to generate offense, but repeated corner kicks failed to find their mark as FEU’s backline held firm throughout the second half.
UST came closest to equalizing in the 77th minute after substitute Edgar Paredes slipped a pass inside the box to Trez Mariñas, whose effort went just inches wide of the goal.
Despite sustained pressure and multiple chances from set pieces, the Tamaraws finally broke through in heartbreaking fashion as McJay Neniel slipped past his marker and rolled the ball into an open net in the 89th minute to book a place in the finals, 3-1.
Graduating Escobar gave UST a glimmer of hope in stoppage time, rifling home a first-time volley off a Chris Valderama assist, but the late strike came too little, too late.
Three key UST forwards Escobar, Valderama and Archie Belluga are set to graduate this year. F
