Far Eastern University-Diliman’s redemption tour is officially in full swing.
The Baby Tamaraws claimed the top spot as the UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Football Tournament first round concluded Tuesday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Fueled by Jacob Keleghan’s high-scoring performance, FEU-D dismantled Ateneo de Manila University, 5-0.
The Tamaraws now lead the standings with 15 points, recording five wins and one loss.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, the University of Santo Tomas returned to winning ways by thrashing Claret School of Quezon City, 5-1, while PAREF Southridge and De La Salle-Zobel capped off the first round with a 1-1 stalemate.
Keleghan proved to be a force to be reckoned with for the Baby Tamaraws, netting twice (23’ and 32’) during FEU-D’s three-goal first-half blitz. The third-year winger now has four goals in six matches this season, and FEU-D coach Jake Morallo was pleased to see him rediscover his scoring touch.
“First half pa lang naka two goals na siya,” said Morallo. “Two games prior nito, medyo off si Jacob. Sinasabihan ko siya palagi na you have to improve more. I think sa last elimination round, capable siya mag-shoot (since) he is our top scorer.”
FEU-D defender Vazili Recinto opened the scoring just eight minutes into the game, while substitutes Jeffrey Fernandez and John Amita completed the rout with goals in the 75th and 78th minutes, respectively.
Chasing the Baby Tamaraws in the standings are the Junior Golden Booters, who sit in second with 13 points, followed by the Junior Green Booters in third with 10 points.
Rounding out the top four is PAREF Southridge, which barged into the playoff picture with eight points, narrowly edging fifth-placed Ateneo, which has seven points. Adamson and Claret currently anchor the table, tied at three points each in the sixth and seventh spots.
Determined to move past their upset loss to Southridge, UST put on a scoring clinic against Claret, finding the back of the net four times in the first half and once more in the second.
UST striker Argos Alingalan spearheaded the first-half blitz, scoring twice in a three-minute span (37′ and 39′). The scoring opened in the 34th minute via Roy Panunciar Jr., and Earl Bahan added a fourth goal in the 40th minute. Alfrancis Orteza capped the rout with an 85th-minute strike to seal the dominant victory.
“’Yun talaga ang sinabi namin sa boys na kailangan nilang bumawi from the loss para siyempre ’yung confidence madala din namin sa second round,” said UST assistant coach David Basa. “Yung training namin focuses more on scoring, at least medyo lumabas, especially nung first half.”
Claret, however, did not go home empty-handed as Filbert Tacardon scored the Red Roosters’ consolation goal off a set-piece in the 85th minute.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The first round concluded with PAREF Southridge and De La Salle Zobel canceling each other out in a 1-1 draw, with both teams converting penalties.
Southridge captain Carlito Vergara opened the scoring in the 71st minute, slotting a penalty into the bottom-left corner after Junior Green Booters skipper Ferdinand Reytas committed a handball.
La Salle salvaged a draw when substitute Reuben Bartocillo converted a penalty in the 85th minute, following a foul by a Southridge defender.
“First half, we dominated the game,” said La Salle coach Arvin Soliman. “Nakita natin kung na-covert namin yung mga chances na yun, tapos na yung game, but credit to the coaching staff of Southridge — nakapag-adjust sila ng second half.”
The second round of the tournament is set to resume this Saturday at the same venue.
