PAREF Southridge’s Cinderella story continues.
The Admirals defied the odds once again, battling 10-man Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles to a hard-fought 1-1 draw to extend their dream run to the UAAP Season 87 Boys’ High School Football Final Four, Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Riding the momentum of an unbeaten second-round surge, Southridge’s resilience sealed their spot in the semifinals alongside defending champions FEU-Diliman, second-seeded University of Santo Tomas, and third-ranked De La Salle Zobel.
“I would like to thank God for this,” said Admirals head coach Sam Bonney. “I’m so happy for the boys and the whole Southridge community who came to support us. When we arrived here, Claret had just beaten La Salle, which gave us more confidence.
“We knew we had to win this game to get that final position, so we gave our best.”
The semis match-ups will see FEU-D face Southridge, while UST takes on a La Salle side that ended the eliminations on a four-game losing streak, capped by a 3-2 defeat to Claret School of Quezon City — the Red Roosters’ first-ever UAAP victory.
Francis Poticano gave Southridge an early advantage with a fantastic finish in the 42nd minute. In the second half, Kendrick Rance had multiple chances to double their lead, but his attempts went straight to Ateneo goalkeeper Timothy Patawaran.
Ateneo ramped up the pressure and found the equalizer in the 74th minute when an unmarked John Molina nodded home a header at the back post.
With momentum shifting to the Blue Eagles, Southridge relied on goalkeeper Polo Tansingco, who produced a stunning save against Andres Dumlao to preserve the draw.
Ateneo’s desperation intensified in stoppage time, leading to defender Angelo Liamzon’s dismissal for a reckless challenge that earned him a second yellow card.
Liamzon had previously been cautioned in the first half following a scuffle involving Southridge’s Gabriel Paris.
Moments later, the final whistle blew, sparking celebrations from Southridge players and their supporters.
“Oh yeah, I mean, (Poticano and Tansingco) are two extraordinary players,” Bonney added. “We always rely on them. We know their qualities and what they can bring to the team.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, FEU-Diliman closed the elimination round unbeaten after a thrilling 3-2 victory over UST.
The Baby Tamaraws endured a shaky start, with UST’s Argos Alingalan opening the scoring just three minutes into the contest. FEU-D responded in first-half stoppage time through Reynaldo Martinez’s strike in the 45+2 minute, swinging the momentum their way.
Arvin Alayon fired FEU-D ahead in the 54th minute, and Czam Acuesta added another goal in the 90+4 minute to give the Baby Tamaraws breathing room.
UST’s Joshua Balliner netted a late goal in the 90+5 minute, but it proved too late for the Junior Golden Booters to mount a comeback.
“It was a good game sa side namin,” said FEU-D coach Jake Morallo. “Although non-bearing game, every game naman sa FEU is important. I think nakuha namin sana yung game na yun kaya lang medyo tagal lang bumalik galing from the celebration nila.
“I think maganda yung game namin ngayon even if marami kami di starting line up ngayon. Most of our players were substitutes. I think proud kami sa ginawa nila ngayon. They did their best.”
In the opening match of the day, Claret School of Quezon City capped their debut UAAP campaign with a dramatic victory over La Salle.
Paolo Rodriguez secured the historic win with a 90+5 minute strike, igniting jubilant celebrations from Claret’s supporters. The victory was a fitting end to a challenging season for the Red Roosters.
“For now, di ko masabi sobrang saya ng team namin throughout the season (kasi) talagang nasa bottom kami,” said Claret assistant coach Chevy Celeste.
“We were always trying to figure it out pano namin i-bounce back. Luckily today, nag-prevail talaga and yung goal lang talaga namin this season (is) to get the experience for the upcoming Season 88 and prepare for it.”
Claret started strong, with Haidyn Sante breaking the deadlock six minutes into the match. La Salle quickly responded with Justin Concepcion leveling the score in the 10th minute with a powerful long-range strike.
Jacob Monte restored Claret’s lead in the 47th minute with a fine finish. Although La Salle equalized again through Victor Pronove in the 58th minute after Concepcion’s initial attempt was saved, they failed to build on that momentum.
The Red Roosters held firm, and Rodriguez’s late heroics ensured Claret ended their season on a high note.
