By: Nicole Parallag
KYLER Escobar’s two goals propelled University of Santo Tomas to second in the standings, drubbing Ateneo de Manila University 3-0 in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Football Tournament, Thursday at the UP Diliman Football Field.
The 20-year-old started the rout for the Golden Booters by scoring early just eight minutes as UST was unfazed with the pressure put by Ateneo. The forward then put the finishing touches with his second goal in the 59th minute to seal the win for the España team.
Archie Belluga then converted from the spot at the 48th minute in between the Escobar goals, which gave the leverage to double the lead for the Golden Booters.
Behind its third straight win, UST is now in second place on the league table with 16 points and plus-10 goal difference.
“Ateneo is an important game para samin kailngan talaga naming yan, especially La Salle won against UP, so sa performance ng players sobrang galing ng defending. Na-mark nila talaga si Kofi, kase yun yung isang strategy nila talaga throw-in and set pieces,’”said coach Marjo Allado.
“So yung training nagawa ng players so credit to the defenders may mga crucial attempts dun na nasave nila, especially kay Escobar sa opening first goal nya sa early minutes. Nagbigay dun ng confidence sa mga player so overall sobrang ganda ng laro namin ngayon. Andito pa UST, achievement to ulit.”
Ateneo, on the other hand, was handed its second straight loss of the season round, coming from a tough match against the defending champion Far Eastern University.
Artuz Cezar ended the first half with four saves against UST while Kofi Agyei’s impact in the final third was limited by his standards.
The Ghanian national found it hard to find a breakthrough goal against the Golden Booters’ defense.
Agyei tried to pull one back deep into added time but failed to snatch a goal for the Blue Eagles.
The Blue Eagles are now off the Final Four spots at fifth place with 14 points and a plus-3 goal difference. Ateneo will next face University of the Philippines next Thursday at 5 p.m. at the same venue.
UST XI: Abada (GK,C), Alegre, Escobar, Songalia, Belluga, Selarde, Valderama, Vercide, Garciano, Regis, Garcia.
ATENEO XI: Cezar (GK), Flores, Dela Cruz, Agyei, Maquiling, Lopez J., Lopez W., Abaa, Fernandez, Roxas, Escobin.
