MANILA – Far Eastern University-Diliman Baby Tamaraws and the University of Santo Tomas Junior Golden Booters scored dominant wins over guest schools in the UAAP Season 87 Boys Football on Saturday at the UP Football Stadium in Quezon City.
The Baby Tamaraws began their quest for a 13th consecutive UAAP football championship with a commanding 6-0 victory over the Claret School of Quezon City Red Roosters.
Czam Acuesta opened the scoring for the Baby Tamaraws in the third minute followed by conversions from James Torres, Ilonggo Arvin Alayon Jr., and Jerriemy Biton for a comfortable 4-0 cushion at halftime.
Defender Jomari Masangkay continued the scoring spree for the Baby Tamaraws in the second half with a 70th minute goal before Edgar Renopal knocked down another one 10 minutes later.
“Medyo struggle rin talaga kasi every year maraming gruma-graduate, so maraming bago at maraming kailangang sumabay,” Baby Tamaraws head coach Jake Murillo said after the game.
“I think this Season 87, prinepare naming lahat mula sa attacking, defending, at pati ‘yung pace naming sa field,” he added. “We’re very happy na nakuha naming ‘yung galaw namin. ‘Yung winning mentality andoon, so masaya kami sa pinakita nila.”
Meanwhile, James Sunog and River Solis led the Junior Golden Booters to a 5-2 victory over PAREF Southridge Admirals as they began their redemption bid after last season’s runners-up finish.
“From last year Final, hanggang ngayon, ‘yun na yung target namin is mag-champion so nag-prepare talaga kami na ma-meet yun,” said Junior Golden Booters assistant coach David Basa.
La Salle-Zobel Junior Archers joined the day’s victors with a 1-0 win over archrival Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles courtesy of a header from Brycen Padauan just four minutes into the second half./PN
