AFTER A grueling semifinal loss to the reigning FEU Tamaraws during the UAAP Season 88 men’s football semifinals, senior Kyler Ken Escobar officially bid farewell to the UST Golden Booters.
Despite forcing a do-or-die matchup, the Golden Booters were unable to secure their first finals berth in nine years, falling 3-2 to the Tamaraws on Friday, Feb. 13, at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
Ending his nine-year stay with the UST’s football program that started back in his high school years, Escobar remained confident that the team’s young core would eventually end España’s 19-year title drought.
“To my rookies, they’re definitely going to be stronger… There are times they’re better than me during training,” Escobar told The Flame.
In the dying minutes of stoppage time, Escobar converted his second strike of the match to cut his team’s deficit to one, but excellent ball movement from the Morayta squad eventually sealed their fourth straight finals trip.
For Escobar, the biggest piece of legacy he would leave behind was his leadership.
“I think the only thing I can leave is the leadership I have given to them, especially during the game… Whenever we’re down, I talk to them, we’re still organizing the team, even if the game’s not finished,” the midfielder said.
“I hope that my leadership is something that they learn from me and hopefully next season, we get the championship,” he added.
With team captain Sam Alegre missing the rest of the season due to an ACL injury he suffered on Oct. 5 against the Tamaraws, Escobar took charge in leading the Booters to the third seed with a 5-3-4 win-draw-loss record.
Escobar and his teammate Trez Mariñas scored five goals each for the Booters this season, the highest in the España squad.
The Laguna-native is counting on defender Jarred Regis and the returning Alegre to lead the field in Season 89.
“One of the leaders during training is Jarred Regis… and especially, Sam Alegre. Unfortunately, he’s injured… But these are the two guys that can definitely lead the whole team,” Escobar said.
Aside from Escobar, fellow forwards Chris Valderama and Archie Belluga are also set to graduate this year. F
