The University of Santo Tomas Golden Booters ended their UAAP Season 80 Men’s Football Tournament elimination round campaign with a 2-0 win over the National University Bulldogs Sunday evening at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
UST now ends the elimination round with 25 points and third seed in the Final Four. On the other hand, NU finished its campaign with 16 points at sixth place.
UST assistant coach Carlos Santiago said, “First half medyo na-halfcourt kami ng NU pero at least naka goal kami. Medyo lugi kami physically in the first half pero after that nakapag-adjust kami in the second half. Lumabas ang laro ng mga boys namin. They played physically, tumapat sa NU and yun nakuha namin yung second goal.”
Despite the fact that the contest was essentially a non-bearing one for both sides, the two schools sought to end their elimination round campaigns on a high. The Golden Booters, though, broke the deadlock first when Steven Anotado shot past Bulldogs goalkeeper Chris Perocho at the 28th minute.
The Bulldogs then went close to levelling the scores when winger Sean Epili forced a fine save from Golden Booters goalkeeper Zaldy Abraham Jr. That was as good as it got for NU as UST doubled its lead at the 76th minute thanks to Marvin Bricenio’s long strike.
The Golden Booters will either face the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles or the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons. The Blue Eagles and Fighting Maroons will face off in the final day of the elimination round on April 19 at Rizal Memorial to finalise the standings.
“Before mag-start yung game, siyempre yung preparation namin iwas ilaro ang mga may yellow cards. Kahit ano maging outcome ng (De La Salle University-University of the East) game, kahit hindi pa namin alam kanina, laro lang for UST, for pride para at least momentum for the semi-finals,” added Santiago
