Jan Patrick Baito’s second half-strike allowed University of Santo Tomas to edge past Adamson University 1-0 in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament on Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Left-footed Baito, who hails from Iloilo City, scored a free kick in the 67th minute, which was awarded thanks to a foul from Adamson’s Mark Christian Ricario.
“Ginawa ko lang po yung sinabi ng coaches po na kailangan namin mag-goal para ma-boost yung confidence namin sa remaning minutes ng game,” said Baito, a Physical Education student.
“Nagpapasalamat ako kay coach (Marjo Allado) dahil binigyan niya ako ng tiwala para kunin yung free kick na yun kasi kinakailangan po yun ng team. Ginawa ko lang talaga para sa team.”
The Golden Booters had a hard time finding an opening in the first half. Chris Valderrama had a golden opportunity to open the scoring late into added time, only for him to miss narrowly from a tight angle.
Behind this win, UST climbed above De La Salle University to finish the weekend in fifth place with six points and a goal difference of 0—below defending champion University of the Philippines, which has six points and a plus-3 GD.
Up next for Golden Booters is a clash against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws this Thursday at 6:30 PM at the same venue.
“Thankful kami kasi yung mga bata all out (naglaro),” said assistant coach Arman Esteban. “Maganda yung response ng mga bata sa talo namin against La Salle (last Sunday).
“Naglaro talaga sila. Gusto nilang manalo ngayon. Either 1-0 or 3-0, at least nakakuha kami ng three points.”
Meanwhile, Adamson remained at the bottom of the standings with zero points and a minus-12 GD.
The Soaring Falcons will attempt to finish their first-round matches with a win versus the De La Salle Green Booters on Thursday at 4:00 PM on the same pitch.
ADAMSON XI: Salarda (GK), Pajenado , Mahinay, Dasig, Cueno, Napili, Ricario, Casing, Coquilla, Roldan, Hayahay.
UE XI: DAIG (GK), Pumajera, Belluga, Ramos, Selarde, Valderama, Vercide, Ballespin, Garciano, Regis, Garcia
