John Paul Selarde scored a late equalizer as University of Santo Tomas salvaged a 1–1 draw against Far Eastern University in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament on Thursday at the University of the Philippines Diliman Football Stadium.
With defeat looming, the senior defender found the back of the net in the 87th minute to secure a crucial point for the Golden Booters against the Tamaraws.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“So, we’re down 1-0 until the last 10 minutes of the game, pero if you trust the players na makakakuha sila ng score, mangyayari at mangyayari eh,” said UST head coach Marjo Allado.
“We thank the players for leaving it all doon sa game na ‘to, especially in the set pieces, kasi yung last goal namin sa kanila dati is set pieces din eh,” Allado added.
“Yun yung lagi namin nireremind na minsan may good start, minsan may bad start. Pero what’s important in the game is that yung attitude na kahit na namin sinasabi na never say die attitude na habang may minutes pa, may time pa na natitira, laro ka lang.”
UST remained in fourth place in the standings with 11 points and a +4 goal difference, keeping a three-point cushion over FEU, which has eight points.
The result proved crucial in the standings, as De La Salle University and University of the Philippines remained tied for second and third, respectively, following a combined 12-goal outburst against University of the East and Ateneo de Manila University earlier in the day.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
FEU, meanwhile, got off to the dream start it needed, with Theo Libarnes breaking the deadlock in the 22nd minute.
The third-year forward netted his fifth goal of the season to cap off the Tamaraws’ early attacking pressure.
Edgar Aban nearly snatched the victory for UST in second-half stoppage time, but both of his free-kick attempts were comfortably saved by Mark Daig.
The Golden Booters will look to return to winning ways against the UE Red Warriors on Sunday at 4:30 p.m., while the Tamaraws take on the Ateneo Blue Eagles later that day at 7 p.m.
