University of Santo Tomas produced the first clean sheet of the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Football Tournament with a 1-0 win over Adamson University on Thursday night at the UP Football Stadium.
Goalkeeper Jose Miguel Abada was solid in manning the post to help the Golden Booters earn their first pull points.
Chris Valderama opened UST’s account with a 44th-minute screamer. The Golden Booters could have gone ahead three minutes earlier, but Kyler Belluga’s goal was ruled as off-side.
The Falcons had a chance to equalize after John Paul Selarde was whistled with a handball, but Abada saved Kelveen John Banagodos’ 46th-minute penalty.
UST rebounded from last Sunday’s season-opening 1-2 loss to University of the Philippines.
“After the game against UP, the players themselves were disappointed with the result kasi yung mga goals sa amin are easy goals lang,” said Golden Booters coach Marjo Allado.
“Ang ginawa lang namin dito is yung fitness namin sa second half, because a lot of players, nag-cramps. Second, if we don’t have many attempts, hindi talaga makaka-score. Pero ang importante, we got the three points,” he added.
Adamson hoped to reprise some late-match miracle like last Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Ateneo, but the Falcons could not produce magic to level and secure another point.
Up next for the Golden Booters is a match-up against the Blue Eagles on Sunday. Adamson, meanwhile, will play University of the East on Sunday night.
