After a heartbreaking loss in last season’s final, University of Santo Tomas finished the story, ending the 12-year reign of defending champion Far Eastern University-Diliman to emerge as the last team standing in the UAAP Season 87 Boys’ High School Football Tournament.
Joshua Moleje and James Sunog conspired to lift UST to the summit, as the Junior Golden Booters accomplished what no other team had managed for over a decade — dethroning the Baby Tamaraws with a 2-1 triumph, Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
“Since day one, we’ve been working on this, and I know these boys deserve it,” said Molejo, the Grade 10 midfielder from Negros Occidental.
“We owe it to our seniors. Last year, we couldn’t give them the championship. Last year we didn’t win. Now, we’re dedicating this win to our seniors. We just played with our hearts, gave it everything, and God gave us the gold,” added Molejo, who will join Valencia-based club Levante Unión Deportiva, S.A.D.
Moleje, the Best Midfielder awardee, broke the deadlock in the 40th minute with a composed finish from close range.
Sunog then tapped the ball home in the 68th minute to seal the Junior Golden Booters’ first-ever championship in the boys’ high school division, delivering UST its first UAAP football crown since the Lady Booters’ triumph in Season 74.
“Masaya po pero mas masaya po na nakuha namin yung gold at champion po” said Sunog. “Hindi ako makapaniwala kasi yung momentum ng FEU-D po, malakas po at hindi basta-basta na kalaban yung FEU-D.”
The UST duo’s goals offset FEU-D’s equalizer in the 44th minute.
Sambher Nash Abrenica, starting in place of first-choice striker Jerriemy Biton, unleashed a strike from outside the box that slipped past UST goalkeeper Edcel James Lauron.
Biton, who was subbed in at halftime, had a subdued performance in the second half but nearly salvaged the match for FEU-D in stoppage time.
However, Biton’s header went straight into the hands of Lauron, who held firm when it mattered most.
The Baby Tamaraws had one final opportunity to force extra time in the dying moments of stoppage time, but their last attempt hit the side netting.
Seconds later, the final whistle sounded, officially crowning UST as the new kings of UAAP high school football.
UST’s path to the title was anything but easy.
Finishing second in the eliminations with 22 points, the Junior Golden Booters suffered two defeats against FEU-D and had to battle past De La Salle Zobel in the Final Four to reach the championship match.
“So proud of the boys,” said assistant coach David Basa, who led UST from the sidelines throughout the season. “Lahat talaga binigay nila. Last minute, ang daming atake ng FEU-D pero hindi sila bumigay. Gusto talaga nila makuha yung final. Alam nila sa sarili nila na kaya nila manalo sa UAAP eh.”
This marks the first time since Season 72 that the high school football title does not belong to FEU-D.
The Baby Tamaraws topped the elimination round with 28 points from nine wins and one draw before narrowly edging guest school PAREF Southridge 1-0 in the semifinals. However, their dynasty came to an abrupt end in the final.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Despite the heartbreak, Biton still had plenty to celebrate, claiming multiple accolades in his impressive Season 87 debut. The 16-year-old striker from Negros was named Rookie of the Year, Best Striker, and Golden Boot winner after scoring 10 goals throughout the campaign.
De La Salle Zobel’s Bacchus Ekberg secured the Best Defender award for the second consecutive year, while Southridge’s Paolo Tansingco was honored as Best Goalkeeper for his standout performances during the Admirals’ Cinderella run.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
UST’s Stephen Flores earned the Most Valuable Player award for anchoring the Junior Golden Booters’ rock-solid defense.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Aside from the silver medal, FEU-D also took home the Fair Play Award for accumulating the fewest yellow and red cards this season.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, De La Salle-Zobel secured the bronze medal for the second straight year.
