VANNE Jintula stepped up as University of Santo Tomas kept its UAAP Season 85 Men’s Football postseason dreams alive with a 3-1 win over University of the East on Thursday at the UP Diliman Football Field.
The South Cotabato native equalized for the Golden Booters in the 24th minute. He then provided an assist to teammate Andrew Ramos, who sealed the victory in the 88th minute with an emphatic finish.
UST boosted its tally to 13 points and a goal difference of plus-2 in the standings. The Golden Booters are in sixth place with four wins, one draw, and five defeats.
“For how many games, laging sa bench si Jintula,” said coach Marjo Allado. “For today, honestly, may sakit na yan pero motivated siya talaga. Mabuting naka goal siya kaagad kasi kung tumagal pa yun, mahihirapan kami kay UE. UE is a strong team. For Jintula naman, a good performance tonight.”
In between Jintula’s interventions, Richard Songalia gave UST the lead in the 35th minute with a powerful strike from outside the box.
“Buhay pa kami sa top four. Focus lang kami sa next game namin against Ateneo but for today’s game, sobrang laking bagay siya sa poinst namin kasi kanina 10 points lang kami. Plus three points today, 13, and then we have two more games. At least nakabawi kami kay UE,” said Allado referring to his team’s first round 2-1 loss last March 16.
Jerome Abarca drew first blood for the Red Warriors with a header in the ninth minute, but that was as good as it got for UE in the match.
UE is in fifth place in the league table with 15 points and a goal difference of minus-3 on the back of four wins, three draws, and three losses.
UST will face Ateneo de Manila University this Sunday at 4:30 PM. On the other hand, UE will face Ateneo next Thursday at 4:30 PM.
UST XI: Abada (GK), Visitacion, Belgira, Jarandillo, Guariña, Songalia, Fianza, Jintula, Alegre, Escobar, Villacarlos.
UE XI: Pamati-an (GK), Magallon, Palacio, Marin, Inguito, Ang, Lauriano, Macaraig, Abarca, Ebbah, Modin.
