Joshua Balliner delivered a hat-trick to lead the University of Santo Tomas to a dominant 5-1 victory over the University of the East in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament on Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Balliner opened the scoring in the ninth minute.
Although not as quick as his season-fastest goal against UE on October 18 — when he found the back of the net just 10 seconds into the match to help secure a 3-0 UST victory — his early strike once again set the tone for the Golden Booters.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Unlike their first-round encounter, however, the Red Warriors quickly responded, with Keith Hermoso powering through for the equalizer in the 13th minute.
Balliner restored UST’s lead just five minutes later before Carsten Pumareja extended the advantage in the 29th minute, sending the Golden Booters into halftime with a 3-1 cushion.
Novie Paraiso made it 4-1 in the 62nd minute, setting the stage for Balliner to put the finishing touches on the victory and complete his first hat-trick of the season with an 82nd-minute strike.
With another three points secured, UST moved to fourth place with 14 points, level with De La Salle University but behind the Green Booters on goal difference, +8 to +13.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“We dedicate this win to Fr. Rodel Cansansio, who is celebrating his birthday,” shared assistant coach Carlos Santiago.
“We told the boys that they didn’t need to score much; just a win of 1-0 will do. Kasi yun ang goal namin to gain the three points, but the boys played well as they knew the urgency. They had the confidence, determination and discipline against UE,” he continued.
Both squads return to action at the UP Diliman Football Stadium on Thursday.
UST kicks off the day’s fixtures at 2 p.m., looking to overtake DLSU for third place, while UE searches for its first points of the season in the 7 p.m. finale against Ateneo de Manila University.
