For PAREF Southridge, the odds were stacked against them: take down the top-seeded Far Eastern University-Diliman and keep their championship hopes alive in the UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Football Tournament.
But on a high-stakes Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium, 17-year-old goalkeeper Reign Deomampo rose to the occasion, guiding the Admirals to a stunning 4–2 penalty shootout victory over the Baby Tamaraws.
After a grueling 120 minutes that ended in a 1–1 deadlock, the match went to penalties.
Deomampo, a STEM student and this season’s starting goalkeeper, produced the defining save of the game, denying FEU-D midfielder Jumong Amita and preserving a 3–2 lead.
That set the stage for Jaesung Kim to slot home the winner, forcing a do-or-die playoff this Wednesday for a spot in the Finals.
“The important part is we just stuck to the plan,” Deomampo said.
“We played a very good game. Our coach wanted it from us; we really practiced it in training. FEU also worked really hard, and it gave us a tough game, but I’m really happy we were able to compete side by side.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Deomampo stepped into the gloves of Polo Tansingco, last season’s standout goalie and Season 87 Best Goalkeeper, who graduated and now studies at and plays for Ateneo de Manila University in the collegiate division.
Rather than feeling overwhelmed, Deomampo credited Tansingco’s mentorship for preparing him to lead the Admirals this year.
“Polo prepared me very well,” he said.
“Last season, he was already getting me ready for when he left. He included me in team talks and gave advice — that was crucial in this competition.”
Deomampo’s journey began in a less formal setting: standing in goal for his older brother, Russ, who now attends De La Salle University.
What started as informal drills eventually became a competitive passion when he joined the Southridge varsity team in Grade 8.
“My love for football really started because of my brother,” Deomampo recalled.
“I was just a keeper so he could practice shooting balls when we were young.”
Southridge’s dreams are about more than a trophy.
The Admirals have navigated a season filled with internal challenges, and a title would be a historic milestone for the school’s sports identity.
Having paved the way last season, this batch of Admirals has seen peers achieve podium finishes in other sports this Season 88 — the baseball team winning gold, the fencing team taking silver.
Now, it’s their turn.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“It would be very historic for us,” Deomampo said.
“Our team faced many personal difficulties, but if we win, it would show that Southridge is a very competitive school in sports.”
While game one is a major achievement, the series is far from over.
With the matchup leveled, the Admirals will face the Baby Tamaraws again on Wednesday, and Deomampo expects FEU-D to come back strong.
“I know they’re going to push 100% against us,” he said.
“But we’re not backing down. We’ll give our 100% as well. Let’s see what happens on Wednesday.”
