In a historic milestone for University of Santo Tomas (UST), the Junior Golden Booters have clinched their first-ever Finals berth in the UAAP boys’ football tournament, following a thrilling 2-2 draw against De La Salle-Zobel on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
With the draw, UST’s Junior Golden Booters now boast 11 points from three wins and two draws in Season 86 of the UAAP boys’ football tournament. Head Coach Marjo Allado expressed his elation, stating, “We survived. Qualified na kami sa final. Waiting na kami and first time ng UST juniors makalaro sa final so deserve nila yan” (We have qualified for the final. We are now waiting, and it’s the first time for UST juniors to play in the final, so they deserve it).
The Junior Golden Booters took the lead in the 25th minute when midfielder Yuan Angelo Maniscan capitalized on a defensive lapse by the Junior Archers, slotting the ball into an open net. However, La Salle’s Julio Antonio Yoldi equalized just before halftime with a well-executed header in the 45+2 minute.
In the second half, UST defender Kent Laurenz Dela Peña regained the lead for his team with a composed finish in the 47th minute after dispossessing a La Salle defender inside the penalty box. Despite UST’s efforts to hold on to the lead, La Salle’s Bacchus Ekberg found the back of the net in the 90+3 minute with a free kick, securing a hard-fought draw for the Junior Archers.
