Renan Ballespin stepped up to help the University of Santo Tomas secure its first win in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament, powering the Golden Booters to a 2-0 victory over Ateneo de Manila University on Thursday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
The midfielder made the most of two counterattacking opportunities against the Blue Eagles, helping UST collect three points and improve its goal difference to zero as it climbed to fifth place in the standings.
Ballespin found Novie Paraiso making a run toward the middle of the box just seconds before halftime, setting up his teammate for the opening goal.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
The graduating senior then capitalized on the space afforded to him just four minutes into the second half, doubling UST’s lead and giving the Golden Booters enough cushion to see out the victory as their defense held firm against Ateneo’s attempts to fight back.
“Actually, it was a good factor (‘yung rest), but in the first half we were surprised because we were very flat,” said UST assistant coach Carlos Santiago. “The coaching staff was very hysterical dito sa sidelines because we weren’t expecting that start eh.
“We are actually fortunate Ateneo wasn’t able to capitalize, and we were very fortunate that we were able to convert that goal given it was all already injury time. The first half we were flat, but in the second half we came back. It’s a good thing we were able to score the goal.”
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Ateneo, meanwhile, had several opportunities to take the lead in the first half, but team captain Dov Cariño struggled to find room to operate as UST kept him in check.
The graduating midfielder also had a golden opportunity to pull one back in second-half stoppage time, but he couldn’t get back inside the box before Mark Daig collected the ball.
The Blue Eagles remained in sixth place with one point and a minus-six goal difference.
UST will look to make it two consecutive wins when it faces the University of the East on Sunday, October 18, at 4:30 p.m. Ateneo, meanwhile, will seek its first victory against the same UE squad on Thursday, October 22, at 2 p.m.
