University of Santo Tomas opened its title defense in the UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Football Tournament on a high note, grinding out a hard-fought 1–0 victory over De La Salle Zobel on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
The Junior Golden Booters wasted no time in getting on the board, striking just one minute into their campaign. Season 87 Best Midfielder Joshua Moleje sent the ball into the Junior Green Booters’ box, where Argos Alingalan finished from close range — an early strike that proved to be the match’s lone goal.
While UST secured its first win of the season, Ateneo de Manila University also grabbed the spotlight after dismantling Claret School of Quezon City, 4–0, to climb to the top of the standings with six points.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, Adamson University and PAREF Southridge played to a thrilling 3–3 draw, with both teams settling for their first points of the season.
Getting an early goal proved to be a major boost for the defending champions, with assistant coach David Basa saying: “Definitely, it was a confidence booster, especially dahil ang dami dito, first time maglaro sa UAAP. Yung goal na yun nagbigay ng confidence sa amin the whole game.”
La Salle-Zobel, however, quickly regrouped and pushed to get back into the match. The Junior Golden Booters came close when one attempt rattled the crossbar, while forwards Jayden Gayoso and Giomell Gigataras each had free kicks sail wide.
In the second half, Alingalan nearly doubled UST’s lead, but his header went over the bar. At the other end, defender Robert Margase and midfielder Inigo Ramirez had opportunities to equalize for La Salle, only to come up empty.
“Happy ako sa game ng boys,” Basa said. “Kahit may hindi pa kaming gusto na nagawa sa field, at least sinubukan nila talaga makuha yung panalo today.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Ateneo followed UST’s lead, relying on goals across both halves to overpower Claret and secure back-to-back victories.
Diego Angeles broke the deadlock for the Blue Eagles with a neat finish in the 31st minute, before fellow forward Gabriel Reyes doubled the lead with a crucial strike in the 68th minute.
Ateneo then added two more goals late to cap off a comprehensive win. Joaquin Guduco capped a fine solo run with a goal in the 87th minute, and Manuel Simpao sealed the four-goal rout in stoppage time at the 90+2 mark.
Claret had its share of chances, however. Janssen Sale appeared to give the Red Roosters the lead in the 28th minute, only for his effort to be ruled offside. Ynigo Santos later tested the Ateneo defense, but his attempt was comfortably saved by Blue Eagles goalkeeper Zarius Patawaran.
The match, however, began on a somber note as Red Roosters striker Florence Constantino was stretchered off early after suffering an injury from a head collision.
“I’m so happy with my team, especially at the start,” said Ateneo coach JP Merida. “First 15 minutes, we maintained the high tempo from the start. Of course, after the 15 minutes, it was an on-and-off performance from my team. That’s the reason why Claret had a lot of chances.
“The good thing in the first half was we didn’t concede a goal. Coming into the second half, it’s a great start again (and) we scored three goals. We’re very happy for this result,” Merida added.
While UST and Ateneo emerged victorious, Adamson and Southridge stole the show after playing out the most entertaining match of the tournament so far.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Substitute striker Jose Augusto Mamon rescued a point for the Admirals with an 85th-minute header, as Southridge found itself chasing the game for most of the match.
“It was a good game,” said Southridge’s Ghanaian coach Sam Bonney. “Both sides were able to showcase what they have as a team. For me, it could have gone both sides. We’ll take it as it is.”
Southridge drew first blood when defender Zachary Panlilio scored just eight minutes in, but Adamson quickly responded through Rian Solaiman in the 11th minute and Mark Hayahay in the 38th to take the lead.
Admirals striker Kale Javier brought Southridge level in the 53rd minute, only for Hayahay to restore Adamson’s advantage and complete his brace in the 63rd.
Adamson’s inability to protect its leads frustrated Cameroonian head coach Darlton Digha.
“We’re disappointed,” said Digha. “We had the game but we kept giving the goals away. We practically gave all the goals to Southridge. The third goal, we should have done better with it, but then, you saw the reaction of the boys. We’re disappointed. We’re a new team, but we also want to put in high standards, so it’s not good enough.”
Action resumes next Saturday as Far Eastern University-Diliman takes on Southridge at 2 p.m., followed by a marquee clash between UST and Ateneo at 4:30 p.m. Adamson and Claret will close the matchday at 7 p.m.
Meanwhile, La Salle-Zobel looks to bounce back against archrival Ateneo on February 7 at 2 p.m.
