When referee Oliver Moreno blew the final whistle to end the match between Ateneo de Manila University and PAREF Southridge last Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium, the celebration on the right side of the grandstand was nothing short of euphoric.
Supporters of the guest school erupted in cheers, while the Admirals — who had fought tooth and nail for 90 minutes — rejoiced as if they had just won a championship.
And who could blame them?
Against all odds, the Admirals had secured a spot in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 87 Boys’ High School Football Tournament.
Their reward? A semifinal showdown against the defending champions, the FEU-D Baby Tamaraws, this Saturday at 4:30 PM.
With their Cinderella run still alive, Southridge now sets its sights on an even bigger dream — dethroning the 12-time titleholders.
“It feels amazing,” said Francis Poticano, who netted Southridge’s crucial 42nd-minute goal that propelled them past Ateneo. “It’s an unbelievable feeling, especially because we’re a guest team and nothing was expected of us. And then all of a sudden, we make it to the top four.
“It’s an amazing feeling!”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
If Poticano was the difference-maker in attack, goalkeeper Polo Tansingco was the hero on defense. With a series of fantastic saves, he ensured the Admirals secured the 1-1 draw they needed to advance.
Throughout the season, Tansingco has been instrumental in Southridge’s remarkable transformation from an overlooked guest team to a legitimate Final Four contender.
As the biggest match of his young career loomed, the pressure was immense. To keep his composure, he turned to former Kaya-Iloilo head coach Noel Marcaida, now an assistant coach for Southridge in the UAAP.
“It feels so good, honestly,” said Tansingco. “Leading up to the game, we didn’t have the best performance in Palarong Pambansa. We got knocked out in the group stage, but during that game, we learned something really important: if we lost against Ateneo, it would have been our last game ever — at least for the Grade 12 students. We didn’t want that at all.
“I have to thank my coach, Coach Noel. Before the game, I was feeling really nervous, but he helped me calm down and perform well. I really have to give a shoutout to Coach Noel. He helped me stay composed and play my best game.”
The last time Southridge faced FEU-D, they held the powerhouse squad to a 1-1 draw in the second round — a result that ultimately forced a traditional Final Four format instead of a stepladder playoff.
Now, with another shot at the champions, the Admirals refuse to feel intimidated.
“So FEU-D — wow, they are indeed an amazing team,” said Poticano.
“We just really have to stay consistent, not get overconfident, and keep giving our all in every game and every training session. We have to prepare and play our best against FEU-D this weekend in the semifinals. Of course, our aim is to win, and doing so would be an amazing feat. But we just really have to stay consistent and give our absolute all.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the UAAP, the Final Four stage brings out the best in players, as teams fight to keep their championship hopes alive. Unlike Poticano, who is still in Grade 10, Tansingco could be playing his final game as an Admiral this Saturday, with his high school career nearing its end.
Just as he did against Ateneo, Tansingco is ready to leave everything on the field, determined to extend Southridge’s dream run and, perhaps, finish his high school career as a UAAP champion on March 29.
“Honestly, I’m excited,” said Tansingco. “Like I said in one of my past interviews, one of my biggest goals is to stop FEU-D’s 12-peat championship run. Now, I’ll have the opportunity to do that this Saturday.
“I’m gonna train as hard as I can from Monday to Friday leading up to the FEU-D game. I’m gonna give my heart out. During the FEU-D game, I’m gonna give my heart out, because if we lose, that will be my last game as an Admiral — and I don’t want that.”
