Far Eastern University-Diliman and De La Salle Zobel scored convincing opening-day wins, while Ateneo de Manila University pulled off a late winner to kick off its campaign in the UAAP Season 88 Boys’ High School Football Tournament on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Led by Jerriemy Biton’s two-goal performance, the Baby Tamaraws launched their redemption tour with a dominant 5–0 shutout of league newcomers Adamson Baby Falcons. Similarly, rookie Jayden Gayoso fired a hat-trick to power the Junior Green Booters to a 6–1 rout of the Claret Red Roosters.
Meanwhile, Andres Hizon celebrated his 18th birthday in memorable fashion by scoring a last-minute winner that lifted Ateneo over Southridge, 1–0.
Biton, the Season 87 Rookie of the Year and Best Striker, opened the tournament’s scoring in the 20th minute before completing his brace in the 64th.
In between Biton’s strikes, the Baby Tamaraws overwhelmed the Falcons’ defense: Leowell Fabela doubled the lead in the 26th minute, followed by a 54th-minute goal from captain Jacob Rey Keleghan.
Attacking midfielder Dioneso Diaz finished the rout in the 77th minute, sealing a perfect start for the Diliman-based squad.
“I’m very happy sa performance,” said Baby Tamaraws coach Jake Morallo. “We created chances and opportunities (to score). So far, the team has good chemistry. May mga special players parin tayo and yung winning mentality andun pa rin although kailangan pa rin namin i-adjust yung position ng mga players.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Jayden Gayoso mirrored Biton’s opening-match heroics, delivering a masterclass in his debut for the Junior Green Booters.
Following in the footsteps of his brother Jarvey — a two-time UAAP champion and national team mainstay — the 18-year-old struck in the third minute to open his account. He doubled his tally with a clinical header in the 47th minute before completing his hat-trick with a composed 61st-minute strike, putting the match out of reach.
“He’s always trying to pressure himself,” said new Zobel coach Arvin Soliman, who replaced Ghanaian mentor Ayi Nii Aryee during the off-season. “He needs to just to relax, enjoy the game, and he’ll reach his goal, and now, it happened.
“So, I think his overall performance today is expected to come out against this team and, hopefully, he’ll develop more. Yeah, I’m very proud, not just for Gayoso, but I also want to highlight one of my rookies — Massimo Sarmiento,” he added.
Renz Partosa scored in the 69th minute, while Sarmiento added a late brace with strikes in the 83rd and 85th minutes to seal a resounding win for the Junior Green Booters.
Claret, however, ensured they did not go home empty-handed as Florence Constantino pulled back a consolation goal for the Red Roosters in the 69th minute.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The main event of the evening saw the Blue Eagles rely on Hizon and Manuel Simpao to edge past the Admirals in a fiercely contested match.
Still stinging from their elimination at the hands of the Admirals last season, the Blue Eagles were intent on redemption, seeking a vital opening-day victory while settling old scores.
As both sides pushed for a late winner, Ateneo finally seized the breakthrough in the dying seconds.
With the match seemingly headed for a scoreless stalemate, Simpao whipped a corner into the heart of the Southridge box, where Hizon rose highest to thump home a header — sending the Blue Eagles’ supporters into wild celebrations.
“Of course, for us, si Andres Hizon talaga yung pinaka-strong sa mga set pieces,” said Ateneo coach JP Merida. “Even last year (at) sa mga pre-season (games) namin, may mga score siya coming from set pieces.
“After the corner from the other side, sabi sa kanila better na lang nalipat sa kabilang side. So that’s one of the luckiest days. But of course, we need to praise Manuel Simpao for his simple delivery. Maganda talaga yung nilaro nila,” he added.
Next Saturday, UST will begin its title defense at 2 p.m. against DLSZ as the competition continues at the same venue.
