For nine years, Kyler Escobar represented the University of Santo Tomas at various levels, dreaming of bringing a UAAP championship back to España.
Some dreams, however, remain unfulfilled, and Escobar learned that the hard way last Friday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The Golden Booters captain did everything he could, but his two goals weren’t enough as UST fell 3-2 to Far Eastern University in both schools’ rubber match in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament.
“We definitely gave our all, especially sa lahat ng game, sa coaches and sa lahat ng fans,” Escobar said. “We definitely see that we are one of the best teams here in the UAAP, and yun nga lang, we lost today.
“Even though nakakuha kami ng third-place medal, it feels like we didn’t deserve it kasi alam ko sa mga teammates ko we definitely deserved to be in the final.”
The locker room atmosphere after the final whistle was heavy. Despite forcing a rubber match against the defending champions and pushing them to the brink, the Golden Booters fell just short of returning to the big dance for the first time since Season 80.
The loss also stirred deep emotions for Escobar, who has been part of the UST program since Grade 9.
“Kanina after the game, I realized na this was my last game na wala na talaga,” he admitted. “I was very emotional talaga. Parang ‘di ko pa kaya tanggapin na this was my last game, especially gusto ko talaga mag-champion ever since I’ve been with them for almost nine years.
“I’m happy pa rin that we will bring back a medal for UST pero ayun nga we could have got the first place.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Aside from Escobar, UST will also lose Archie Belluga and Chris Valderama to graduation. Losing veterans is always a challenge in collegiate sports, but it also gives younger players a chance to step up.
The standout from Biñan is confident that the leadership void will be filled sooner rather than later and highlighted two players he believes can rise to the challenge.
“Well, actually, sa mga rookies ko, lalakas talaga sila. I mean, during training, there are times they’re better than me, so I do feel may maiiwan ako,” Escobar noted. “Pero I think maiiwan ko sa kanila is yung leadership that I have given to them, especially during the game. Whenever they’re down, I can talk to them… I hope na yung leadership ko makuha nila from me.
“The leaders during training are Jarred Regis, especially Sam Alegre… they’re the two guys who could lead the team.”
Despite the anticlimactic finish, Escobar looks back at Season 88 as a turning point. After years of struggling to break into the upper echelon, this year’s squad proved they could go toe-to-toe with any opponent.
It may not have been the storybook ending he dreamed of, but Escobar gave it his all. Now, it’s up to the teammates he leaves behind to finish the story.
“Well, with this team, lahat kami, we were so confident na we deserve the top two spot and a place in the final. Sa team na ‘to, this was the team that was able to get another achievement talaga,” he reflected. “Di lang kami ang nagbubuhat ng team. Lahat kami talaga sa team namin — everyone is playing well, everyone is doing well in training, especially for this game.
“Hopefully, next season, makuha na namin yung championship.”
