Championship rivals University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University-Diliman both secured back-to-back wins for the first time in their respective campaigns in the UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Football Tournament on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
UST cruised to a 3–0 victory over Ateneo de Manila University despite the absence of standout midfielder Joshua Moleje, while FEU-D opened the day’s action with a 2–0 rout of PAREF Southridge in the first fixture.
The final match of the day saw Filbert Tacardon score a hattrick to lead Claret School of Quezon City to a 3–2 win over Adamson University.
With Moleje sidelined as a precaution for his knee, UST showcased its depth by handing the previously unbeaten Ateneo its first defeat of the season.
Rather than letting the absence of the Season 87 Best Midfielder serve as an excuse, the Junior Golden Booters stepped up to extend their winning start to Season 88 to two matches.
“Tiwala lang sa players,” said UST assistant coach David Basa. “Marami ring players na may quality talaga at willing to play everything for the school.”
Midfielder Roy Panunciar Jr. set the tone for the defending champions by opening the scoring in the 30th minute.
In the second half, midfielder JM Visitacion doubled UST’s lead with a long-range strike from outside the box in the 54th minute, while substitute forward Earl Bahan sealed the win with a close-range finish in the 90+1st minute.
“Alam ko naman kasi sa Ateneo na first half ibibigay nila, then second half minsan nakukulangan ng lakas,” Basa explained. “Ang sabi ko lang sa boys, continue playing lang. Mag-be-breakdown din yung defense nila. Mag-be-breakdown din yung team nila then dun tayo makaka-score.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Similar to the Junior Golden Booters, the Baby Tamaraws earned their second straight victory by scoring once in each half against the Admirals, who are still seeking their first win of the season.
Jimuel Panganiban, a recruit from Integrated Montessori Center, opened the scoring for FEU-D with a clinical finish in the 34th minute, while third-year winger Jacob Keleghan sealed the three points with a header from a set-piece in the 58th minute.
Despite the win, Baby Tamaraws coach Jake Morallo expressed dissatisfaction with his team’s performance.
“Nakuha namin yung three points pero we didn’t play our way,” said Morallo. “Maraming bad passes at less chances yung ginawa namin ngayon. I think di kami masyadong deadly in the play. I’m not happy sa the way we played today. Yun lang kailangan namin i-address to become a better team again.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Joining UST and FEU-D in the winner’s circle was Claret School of Quezon City, which defeated Adamson University to end a disappointing start that saw the Red Roosters lose their first two games.
Tacardon stole the spotlight for Claret, scoring in the 6th, 38th, and 80th minutes to give the Red Roosters their first three points of the season.
“I’m happy for Filbert,” said Claret coach Feb Baya. “Sa training, yun din naman sinasabi ko sa kanya na pag nasa loob ka ng box, don’t hesitate, (stay) composed, (take) less touches, and then take a shot and everything will happen. Today, he scored three goals, which is amazing.”
For Adamson, Raf Irlanda and Tristan Alkuino scored in the 34th and 87th minutes, respectively, but their efforts weren’t enough to salvage a point in the five-goal thriller.
This Saturday, archrivals De La Salle Zobel and Ateneo will kick off the triple-header at 2 p.m., followed by FEU-D versus Claret at 4:30 p.m., with UST and Adamson closing the matchday at 7 p.m.
Southridge will return to action on February 11 against Claret at 2 p.m.
