THE UST Junior Golden Booters saw their title defense unravel in heartbreaking fashion, bowing to the FEU-D Baby Tamaraws, 2-1, in the UAAP Season 88 boys’ football final on Friday, April 10, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch.
Individual honors still shone for UST, with John Visitacion named Best Midfielder, while Argos Alingalan claimed the Golden Boot and Best Striker after tallying nine goals in the tournament.
After a quiet first half, UST broke the deadlock in the 44th minute as Roy Panunciar Jr. capitalized on a rebound off the keeper to give the Golden Booters a 1-0 lead.
However, FEU-D surged late in the match, with Nash Abrenica finding the equalizer in the 85th minute to knot the game at 1-all.
With momentum and possession shifting in FEU-D’s favor, the Baby Tamaraws completed the comeback in stoppage time, as James Torres struck in the 94th minute to seal the dramatic 2-1 victory.
The loss also marked the final game for graduating players Alingalan, Josh Balliner, Lawrence Ubante, Ryne Doromal, and Zandrew Nobleza, who will close out their high school careers with a runner-up finish. F
