After two narrow 1-0 defeats to Far Eastern University-Diliman and De La Salle Zobel, PAREF Southridge finally broke through in the UAAP Season 87 Boys’ High School Football Tournament, overpowering fellow guest school Claret School of Quezon City, 4-0, last Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Key to the Admirals’ maiden victory was winger Francis Poticano, who opened the scoring in the 31st minute and sealed the emphatic win with a stoppage-time goal in the 90+2 minute against the Red Roosters.
“Our team is much more confident now,” said the 16-year-old standout. “In our first games, we were kind of iffy, but now we’re much more composed, and I’m happy with the team. We wanted it more this time. It feels good, especially since it’s our first-ever win.
“I’m happy to help the team.”
Before kickoff, the UP Diliman Football Stadium was buzzing with anticipation.
The grandstand was packed with supporters from both schools, eager to see either the Admirals or the Red Roosters finally break their winless streak after tough losses to the UAAP’s traditional powerhouse teams.
From the opening whistle, Southridge proved to be a class above.
The Muntinlupa-based squad not only stifled Claret’s offense but also displayed the clinical finishing that had been lacking in its previous matches.
Team manager Ryan Fermin credited the victory to a crucial shift in mindset.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“For this game, we had to change our mentality,” said the former UP Fighting Maroon. “We wanted to score goals and show what we’re capable of in attack. We felt that we could definitely do it, even against the likes of FEU and Zobel. We can keep the ball. We can hold our own.”
With their first win secured, the Admirals have climbed to fourth place in the standings, overtaking the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Both teams have three points, but Southridge holds the advantage with a superior goal difference of -1 compared to Ateneo’s -4, placing them in the last postseason slot.
Now that they’ve tasted victory, Southridge is eager to build on this momentum as they face Ateneo this Saturday in a match that could have major Final Four implications.
“We’ve played them a couple of times before, and I’m confident we can beat them,” said Poticano.
“We just need consistency as a team.”
