By: Nicole Parallag
University of Santo Tomas reclaimed third place in the standings despite settling for a scoreless draw against Adamson University in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament on Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Unlike their first-round encounter — where Jarred Regis salvaged a point for UST with a late equalizer in a 2–2 draw on September 25 — both teams failed to find the back of the net this time.
UST pressed aggressively in the opening half, with Rodrigo Marinas nearly breaking the deadlock in the 35th minute. However, Adamson goalkeeper Christian Lauron reacted quickly to parry the attempt.
Moments later, Lauron denied another close-range chance from Kyler Escobar to keep the match level.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Well, yun yung naging problem lang namin is that we were not able to score, yung chances nila masyadong tense,” said UST assistant head coach Carlos Santiago. “Dapat nung chances, kalma lang, composed ka pa rin para di sayang yung opportunity.”
Adamson produced its own threatening moment in the 40th minute when standout Golike Doko nearly put the Falcons ahead. But the UST backline held firm, sending both sides into the break scoreless.
In the 70th minute, Jon Lagahit tried to spark a breakthrough for Adamson, but UST goalkeeper Mark Daig comfortably secured the attempt.
The Soaring Falcons were later forced into a crucial keeper change when Lauron went down with cramps, prompting Shane Salarda to enter. UST immediately tried to capitalize, with Kent Dela Peña testing Salarda, but the substitute keeper responded well.
Regis then collided heavily with Salarda in the 86th minute while attempting a late push for UST, forcing both players off the pitch. Salarda was subsequently replaced by Sean Chua.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“It was really an intense game and I just appreciate the effort of the keepers,” said Adamson coach Darlton Digha. “I think we have done a good job today. So the challenge is going to be to keep them motivated.”
The draw was enough for UST to leapfrog Ateneo de Manila University and reclaim third place, after Ateneo briefly overtook them earlier in the day with a 3–1 win over University of the East.
UST now holds 15 points with a goal difference of +3, while Adamson stays in sixth with six points and a goal difference of –11.
Both teams will return to action in January 2026 at the same venue, as the tournament pauses to give way to the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup — which kicks off this Friday until December 7 — and the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand from December 9 to 20.
Adamson resumes its campaign on January 15, aiming to deny UE its first win when they meet at 2:00 PM. Meanwhile, UST looks to bounce back against Ateneo on January 18, also at 2:00 PM.
