University of Santo Tomas declared its championship credentials last Sunday when it stunned 11-time defending champion Far Eastern University-Diliman 2-0 in the UAAP Season 86 High School Boys’ Football Tournament at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
The Junior Golden Booters proved to be too resolute for the Baby Tamaraws.
However, two Cubs stood out for UST: captain Kristien Gabriel Elopre, who scored in the 15th and 84th minutes, and goalkeeper Edcel James Lauron, who performed fantastic saves to protect his team’s lead.
“It felt great pero kulang pa,” said Elopre. “Di pa po tapos since first round pa lang. May second round pa and hopefully maka-abot po kami ng Final.
“Dun lang po ako magiging fully na masaya po kasi yung goal namin this year ay mag-champion. This is our opportunity since we’re top one in the group. Kaunti na lang po.”
“Thank you sa Panginoon dahil Siya nagbigay ng lakas sa amin; sa mga kasama ko; kay Coach Marjo (Allado) at yung mga coaches salamat sa paggabay sa amin sa ensayo hanggang nakuha namin tong panalo against FEU,” said Lauron.
Despite heading into the game as underdogs, the Junior Golden Booters did not show fear against the Baby Tamaraws.
When Elopre broke the deadlock, UST suddenly felt emboldened to go for the win. He had his confidence boosted by his goal, which definitely rubbed off on his teammates.
It was a far cry from Season 85. UST played catch-up most of the time against its opponents. This time, it was confident enough to stand toe-to-toe against the UAAP’s powerhouse program.
“Sobrang happy po and na-hype po ako nung sobra. Tumaas din yung morale namin as a team. Nag-boost din ang confidence namin tapusin ang buong 90 minutes,” said the former Don Bosco Mandaluyong standout.
“Last year, we were third place. Nahirapan kami mag-adjust since galing pandemic. Hindi pa masyadong nagkaintindihan yung teammates. This year po, sinigurado namin ng co-captain ko namagkasundo kaming lahat before yung UAAP para pagdating sa UAAP, mataas yung trust namin sa isa’t isa.”
When it comes to Lauron, he credited his mother for giving him strength and the Junior Golden Booters’ intense competition for places in the starting 11 for forcing that performance out of him.
The General Santos City product performed a fine save one-on-one against FEU-D’s Leoven Jay Gatungay and he performed a fantastic double save soon after while UST was only leading one-nil.
It was the match-saving performance the Junior Golden Booters needed until Elopre sealed all three points in the 84th minute with a penalty kick.
“Hindi naman inakala na matatalo namin sila kasi 11-peat sila tapos sa amin first time ko lang din maglaro sa UAAP at yung pressure grabe talaga pero thank you talaga sa mga coaches and mga teammate ko na naggabay sa amin at nagbigay ng 100 percent sa laro na ito,” said Lauron.
Amidst their groundbreaking win against the Baby Tamaraws, Elopre, Lauron and the rest of the Junior Golden Booters will look to extend their momentum when they take on the Ateneo Blue Eagles this Sunday.
UST will look to end the first round on a high note and despite Ateneo’s dismal start this season, the former knows it should not take the latter lightly.
“Last game po namin against Ateneo this Sunday. Sisiguraduhin namin first round ay ma-sweep namin na wala kaming talo hopefully and sana tuloy-tuloy din,” said Elopre.
”Makuha pa rin namin yung panalo. Patunayan na hindi kami basta-bastang team. Abangan nila ang UST na fighting for a championship talaga,” said Lauron.
