PAREF Southridge moved a step closer to securing a Final Four spot in the UAAP Season 87 Boys’ High School Football Tournament after overtaking Ateneo de Manila University in the standings on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
With both teams set for a crucial showdown on the final day of eliminations next Saturday, Southridge took care of business by dismantling fellow guest team Claret School of Quezon City, 3-0.
On the other hand, Ateneo suffered a costly 3-1 defeat against University of Santo Tomas.
Leading the table is Far Eastern University-Diliman with 25 points, followed by UST with 22 points. Meanwhile, De La Salle Zobel sits in third with 13 points.
Southridge — now in fourth place with 10 points — holds a narrow lead over fifth-placed Ateneo, which remains at nine points.
“Yes, it’s all about the homework and the training that we did before this match or toward this match,” said Southridge’s Ghanaian coach Sam Booney after his team’s pivotal win.
“We knew they would come up with a back five, and we prepared for it. We trained very hard for all the goals that we scored. Everything we did in training showed up in the game.”
Kale Javier’s clinical finishing propelled Southridge to victory, as the 16-year-old striker netted a brace. He opened the scoring in the 31st minute, converting a well-placed assist from Francis Poticano, before sealing the win with a composed strike in the 62nd minute.
Poticano then put the finishing touch on the rout in the 68th minute, bringing his season tally to five goals.
With this victory, combined with Ateneo’s loss to UST, Southridge now only needs a draw in their final elimination match against the Blue Eagles to punch their ticket to the Final Four.
“We’re playing Ateneo, and the objective is to win,” Booney emphasized. “There will be a different strategy for Ateneo because we just need a draw to get into the Final Four.
“We have to do whatever it takes to get there. Whether it is a win or a draw — we have to do it. We can’t afford to lose the game. That’s it.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Ateneo, on the other hand, had an encouraging start when Andres Dumlao broke the deadlock in the 31st minute. However, UST quickly responded, as Joshua Balliner netted the equalizer in the 38th minute, ensuring both teams went into halftime level at 1-1.
In the second half, Jessy Ramasola handed the Junior Golden Booters their first lead with a well-placed finish inside the Blue Eagles’ box. UST then secured all three points when John Mark Visitacion converted a penalty in the 83rd minute.
For UST assistant coach David Basa, this win serves as a confidence boost ahead of their highly-anticipated rematch against FEU-D next week and their upcoming Final Four campaign.
“Siyempre gusto namin makabawi (sa FEU-D) pero iniisip namin ‘yung pinaka-importante, which is (the) semi-finals,” said Basa. “Maganda siyempre kung manalo, pero kailangan namin maging mautak when it comes to next game.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, FEU-D further cemented its position at the top with a 2-0 victory over DLSZ, thanks to goals from Jacob Keleghan and Jerriemy Biton.
Keleghan broke the deadlock in the 51st minute, while Biton added an insurance goal in the 74th minute, extending his season tally to nine goals.
“Surprised ako sa game ngayon kase kung pag-uusapan natin ‘yung tactics side, hindi namin na-anticipate na mag-iiba silang way of playing nila sa formation (at) sa style,” admitted FEU-D coach Jake Morallo.
“Sa first (half) naalangan kami. Nahirapan kami because again nagco-compact na naman sila and, of course, they are very aggressive. Nahirapan kami makapwesto sa first half.”
Despite suffering their second straight loss, DLSZ officially secured a Final Four berth after UST’s victory over Ateneo.
Meanwhile, Claret School will look to earn its first point of the season when it faces La Salle in the final elimination round matchday next week.
