FAR Eastern University-Diliman and University of Santo Tomas kicked off the UAAP Season 87 High School Boys’ Football tournament with dominant victories over guest schools Claret School of Quezon City and PAREF Southridge, respectively, on Saturday at the UP Football Stadium in Quezon City.
The Baby Tamaraws began their quest for a 13th consecutive UAAP championship with a commanding 6-0 win over the Red Roosters, marking a historic day for the league.
Meanwhile, James Sunog and River Solis led the Junior Golden Booters to a 5-2 victory over the Admirals as they began their redemption bid after last season’s runners-up finish.
This was the first time that guest teams were allowed to participate in any UAAP sport.
FEU-D, one of the longest-standing teams in the UAAP, showcased its attacking prowess, scoring four goals from different Tamaraws to take a 4-0 lead at halftime.
“Medyo struggle rin talaga kasi every year maraming gruma-graduate, so maraming bago at maraming kailangang sumabay. I think right now this Season 87, prinepare naming lahat mula sa attacking, defending, at pati ‘yung pace naming sa field. We’re very happy, kami ni Coach Paolo (Bugas), na nakuha naming ‘yung galaw namin. Yung winning mentality andoon, so masaya kami sa pinakita ng mga boys ngayon,” said Baby Tamaraws head coach Jake Murillo.
Czam Acuesta opened the scoring with a goal just three minutes into the match.
A swift counterattack saw center-back James Torres and striker Arvin Alayon Jr. each score before the 20th minute, and Jerriemy Biton added another goal to give the Baby Tamaraws a comfortable 4-0 cushion at halftime.
Despite the efforts of Tacardon brothers Filbert and Filmar, who used their speed to challenge FEU-D’s defenders, Torres and the rest of the backline turned defensive stops into offensive runs to secure decisive goals.
After a long spell of attacking plays in the second half, winger Joerby Anito opened the floodgates with a fifth goal for the Baby Tamaraws.
Goalkeeper Gianne Abara made a key stop against Filbert Tacardon to preserve the shutout, and an 80th-minute strike from Edgar Renopal sealed a statement win for the defending champions.
“Mas maraming games na ang UAAP juniors, and at the same time, parang nag-iinvite tayo sa community natin sa football. It is growing and it’s getting more competitive. Nabigyan natin ng chance ‘yung iba na magpakilala. Start pa lang ng season, so marami pang paghahandaan against the other teams,” said Murillo, a former FEU standout.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
After reaching the final for the first time last season, UST showed its intentions early in its match against Southridge.
“From last year Final, hanggang ngayon, ‘yun na yung target namin is mag champion so nag-prepare talaga kami na mameet yun,” said assistant coach David Basa.
Southridge goalkeeper Juan Paolo Tansingco initially stood strong, but eventually succumbed to the relentless pressure from UST.
Sunog broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute with a goal from a well-executed buildup, followed by Solis doubling the lead four minutes later.
The two then completed their braces, with Sunog scoring in the 40th minute and Solis adding another in the 43rd minute, extending the lead to 4-0 by halftime.
Joshua Balliner sealed the Junior Golden Booters’ first win of the season with a stunning strike in the 67th minute, restoring their four-goal cushion.
Southridge managed to avoid a shutout just before the break with a free-kick goal from Francis Poticano, and Joziah Rance added another with a well-timed finish in the 71st minute, leaving the final score at 5-2.
“Nung sa practice game namin (friendlies), nagtutulungan naman kami parang ni-ready namin yung team namin na pwede kami mag-grow at mag-improve. Well, sa players, marami silang magagaling na players physically; malalakas yung ang sinabi namin sa players namin na ‘yung contact (i-take advantage),” said Basa, a former Golden Booter.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, De La Salle-Zobel joined the day’s victors with a 1-0 win over archrival Ateneo, thanks to a header from Brycen Padauan just four minutes into the second half.
“It was a good win. We played them a few weeks before the UAAP and we lost 2-0 to them because it was a friendly game. So, I guess we wanted (the win) more. You know, we wanted it more than anything because last season, our last game was against them and we lost 1-0. We lost one zero to them, so I think it’s a sweet victory,” said head coach Ayi Nii of his team’s first victory of the year.
The Blue Eagles had several chances to score, but the Junior Green Booters’ defense, anchored by second-year goalkeeper Jacob Salavante, held firm to secure the win after 90 minutes.
