Defending champion Far Eastern University-Diliman and University of Santo Tomas secured their spots in the UAAP Season 87 Boys’ High School Football Final, Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
The Baby Tamaraws, aiming for their 13th consecutive title and a fourth treble in history, edged out the Southridge Admirals, 1-0.
Meanwhile, the Junior Golden Booters overcame the De La Salle-Zobel Junior Green Booters, 2-1, to set up a rematch of last season’s final, where UST hopes to finally claim the crown.
Determined to dominate early, the Baby Tamaraws struck just two minutes into the match, with Jerriemy Biton delivering a clinical finish from close range.
Throughout both halves, FEU-D created multiple chances to extend their lead, but a combination of near misses and stellar goalkeeping by Paolo Tansingco kept Southridge in contention.
Biton had an opportunity to double the lead with an open goal in front of him, only for his miskick to send the ball crashing against the crossbar.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Winger Jacob Keleghan also saw his effort cleared off the line by defender Sebastian Paris and had several shots denied by Tansingco.
As time wound down, the Admirals gained more possession in the Baby Tamaraws’ half but failed to produce a clear-cut attempt on goal. FEU-D’s defense held firm, ensuring their place in the final.
“It was a really good game against Southridge,” said FEU-D coach Jake Morallo. “We all know naman na gusto nila may mapatunayan sila sa Season 87. Of course, happy kami despite many challenges.
“It was an early goal, pero I think hindi kami masyadong naglaro nang maayos sa second half. We were struggling to score pero may mga chances na kita naman natin na tumama sa poste. Medyo nagkulang pa talaga to win this game para sa akin,” he added.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the evening match, Joshua Balliner and Argos Alingalan powered UST to victory, setting up their much-anticipated clash against FEU-D which takes place on Saturday, 5:00 PM at the same Diliman pitch.
Following a goalless first half, Balliner capitalized on a defensive miscue by DLSZ goalkeeper Januel Magdangal and captain Bacchus Ekberg to slot the ball into an empty net in the 68th minute.
Just three minutes later, Alingalan doubled UST’s advantage, scoring on a rebound in the 71st minute.
Despite falling behind, La Salle kept the contest alive, pulling a goal back in the 80th minute when Justin Concepcion capitalized on a set-piece, heading the ball past the keeper.
The Junior Green Booters pushed hard for an equalizer, but Ekberg’s free-kick struck the wall, sealing UST’s passage to the final.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Tough game. Binigyan talaga kami ng laban ng La Salle,” said UST assistant coach David Basa. “Pinaghandaan yung plan namin. Nahirapan kami nung first half. Nilagay nila si (Luis) Montelibano on the left side kasi alam nila na yung bet namin si (Yuan) Maniscan.
“Nagawa nila yun for the first half and early second half. Medyo napagod din yung team nila kasi runners din talaga yung players namin kaya siguro nakahanap kami ng opening to score two goals,” Basa added.
With FEU-D and UST battling for the title, DLSZ secured third place for the second consecutive season, while Southridge concluded its debut campaign in fourth.
