By: Nicole Parallag
University of Santo Tomas eked out a narrow 1–0 victory over De La Salle University to move into a temporary solo third place in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament on Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium in Quezon City.
Rodrigo Mariñas scored the match’s lone goal in the 64th minute, capitalizing on a rebound that slipped through the hands of La Salle goalkeeper Edcel Lauron, securing the win for the Growling Tigers.
The 21-year-old forward had nearly broken the deadlock earlier in the 50th minute after receiving a precise pass from Kyler Escobar, but Lauron produced a timely save to keep the match scoreless.
Just like their first-round encounter last September 21, when UST won, 2–1, the Golden Booters once again prevailed over the Green Booters in a tight, defensive contest.
Both sides held firm in the first half, with goalkeepers Lauron and UST’s Mark Daig turning away multiple scoring attempts to send the match into a stalemate.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
With the win, UST climbed to third place with 11 points, tying Far Eastern University but remaining behind the defending champions due to an inferior goal difference of +2 compared to FEU’s +5.
“Overwhelmed,” said assistant coach Carlos Santiago. “Yun talaga pinag-usapan after nung first round. Sabi namin ito na yung momentum na hinihintay namin. So ayun, nagawa naman namin. They were able to adjust in the second half.
“Sabi namin, they need to fight for that first goal and hanapin yung through pass. Ang maganda kase duon, they were able to listen at nagawa naman nila,” the deputy of Marjo Allado added.
The Green Booters had a golden chance to take the lead in the 30th minute when Prince Reyes connected with a set-piece cross from Bacchus Ekberg, but his header narrowly sailed over the bar.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the dying minutes, Alonso Aguilar tried to level the score for La Salle, but Daig stood tall to deny the effort.
La Salle stayed tied with Ateneo de Manila University at eight points but dropped to fifth place due to an inferior goal difference of –1 compared to the Blue Eagles’ +2.
Both teams return to action at the same venue on November 6. UST opens against University of the East at 2:00 PM, followed by La Salle facing Adamson University at 4:30 PM.
