Far Eastern University-Diliman became the first team to secure a semifinals berth in the UAAP Season 87 Boys’ High School Football Tournament after a dominant 5-0 victory over Claret School of Quezon City, Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
With 18 points from six wins, the Baby Tamaraws remain on track for an outright finals spot, which can only be achieved by sweeping all their matches.
Leading the charge was rookie Jerriemy Biton, who scored twice to bring his season tally to eight goals, solidifying his status as the top contender for the Golden Boot award.
“Ita-try namin ang season sweep,” said FEU-D coach Jake Morallo. “Every game is important kahit non-bearing pa. Winning is everything sa FEU, no? Kailangan lang naming bumalik sa tactics—movement and finishing—para manalo sa games.”
Biton made up for an early miss by scoring in the 39th and 60th minutes. The 16-year-old striker first found the net from close range before sealing his brace with a fine solo finish.
“Right now, every game, si Biton nakakakuha ng score,” Morallo said. “He’s always motivated. Nakikita namin ni Coach Paolo (Bugas) sa training na bawat finishing, bawat pagkakataon sa harap ng goal, kinukuha niya. Masaya kami, hindi lang ako kundi ang buong team, na nagagawa niya ito. Sana madagdagan pa ang goals niya sa bawat laro.”
Jacob Ray Keleghan opened the scoring for FEU-D in the 29th minute, while defender James Maxdel Torres added a fourth goal in the 52nd. Substitute forward Sambher Nash Abrenica then wrapped up the rout in the 86th minute.
However, FEU-D suffered a setback when Torres had to be substituted in the 72nd minute after a bad landing. Morallo later expressed concerns that the former Bayawan City East Central School standout might have torn his ACL.
Meanwhile, De La Salle Zobel and University of Santo Tomas moved closer to advancing to the post-season.
Powered by captain Bacchus Ekberg’s stellar performance, the Junior Green Booters took a commanding 3-0 win over archrivals Ateneo Blue Eagles while the Junior Golden Booters edged out the Southridge Admirals, 1-0, giving head coach Marjo Allado a victory on his 47th birthday.
UST and La Salle are now tied with 13 points, but UST holds second place due to a superior goal difference of +10 compared to La Salle’s +5.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Ekberg opened the scoring in the 13th minute after teammate Renz Partosa won a foul.
He then secured his brace in the 67th minute with a long-range strike before Geoffrey Marqueses sealed the victory in the 81st minute, scoring his third goal of the season.
“Our objective is to get nine points this second round,” said La Salle’s Ghanaian coach Ayi Nii Aryee. “Even six or seven points can put us in the Final Four, but we must not underestimate any opponents. Even Ateneo, Southridge, and Claret still have hopes of making the top four.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
After a goalless first half, UST finally broke through when Joshua Moleje converted a penalty following a clumsy foul in the Admirals’ box. Spain-bound Moleje calmly sent the ball past Southridge goalkeeper Juan Paolo Tansingco.
“Nag step-up si Moleje,” said UST assistant coach David Basa. “Happy for him na siya yung nakakuha ng penalty at naka-score para sa team.”
Midfielder Vincenzo Solidum had a chance to double UST’s lead in stoppage time, but Tansingco denied him with a fine save.
Despite the loss, Southridge showed resilience in defense and had several chances to score through Zechariah Casillano, Francis Poticano, and Mateo Mercado, but none found the back of the net.
“Yung game nila, nag-settle sila sa depensa kaya nahirapan kami mag-attack,” Basa explained. “Na-overload sila sa depensa with five back. Buti na lang second half nag-adjust ang players at nag-create ng chances.”
Ateneo sits in fourth with six points, followed by Southridge (three points) and Claret, which remains winless.
