When PAREF Southridge School stepped onto the pitch at the UP Diliman Football Stadium to open the UAAP Season 87 High School Boys’ Football Tournament against University of Santo Tomas, it didn’t expect one of its former students to take center stage.
River Solis – currently enrolled in the Music, Arts, and Design strand at UST’s senior high school – scored twice to help the Junior Golden Booters secure a 5-2 victory over the Admirals, giving last season’s finalists a dream start to their campaign last Saturday.
For Solis, the key to scoring in the 26th and 43rd minutes was his familiarity with his former school and eagerness to make up for lost time.
“It feels really good, you know, after one year of not playing and just watching from the stands,” said Solis. “It’s really ecstatic (because of) the stadium (and) everything, especially for the first time being able to play with my teammates.
“Personally, I came from Southridge, (which is a) great school. So I know their place. I’m friends with their players. I played with them before from grade one to grade six, so I’m already familiar with the tactics.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Solis, who started playing football at the age of three, previously studied at De La Salle Zobel after Southridge before making the move to UST.
The main factor in his decision to join the Junior Golden Booters was the opportunity to play alongside familiar faces, making his football experience even more meaningful.
“I moved to Zobel for grades six to 10,” said the 17-year-old forward. “I stayed in Zobel and then I transferred. I chose UST because most of my friends are here, most of my teammates from Makati Football Club, and I really wanted to play with them.”
Although it was just the first match of the season, Solis knows there’s a long road ahead for him and the rest of the Junior Golden Booters as they aim to secure their first-ever championship in the high school boys’ division.
With nine more matches remaining and a potential Final Four appearance on the horizon, UST must stay focused and not get complacent.
“I feel really good and hopefully we also play this good next round,” he said. “I’ll just keep pushing (and) just keep doing what I usually do.”
