Ballespin strike stuns La Salle late for UST

c/o UAAP

Matches on Thursday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium

4 p.m. — ADU vs Ateneo

6:30 p.m. — FEU vs UE

RENAN Ballespin fired the go-ahead goal to hand University of Santo Tomas a 2-1 victory over De La Salle University in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament on Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

Ballespin, a striker out of Valencia City High School in Bukidnon, latched on Andrew Gregg Ramos’ assist to score in the 87th minute past La Salle goalkeeper and captain Enrico Mangaoang and secure full points for UST.

“Nakikinig lang po ako sa mga sinasabi ng mga coaches ko,” said Ballespin. “Binabasa ko lang  yung takbo ng laro. Nakita ko yung bola na medyo pabalik sa akin kaya nag-take ako ng chance (para maka-score).”

The Golden Booters had to dig deep after facing an early setback in the match as Gabe Suarez gave the Green Booters a dream start with a 21st-minute goal off Lucas Andan’s cross.

Regrouping during the halftime break, UST got back in the contest when defender Jarred Regis scored the leveler just two minutes after the restart. Kyler Escobar could have given the Golden Booters an earlier lead, only for his header to hit the post, while Chris Valderama had free kicks that missed the target.

Ultimately, Ballespin’s late goal ensured that UST would not regret those missed chances.

“Nag-click yung game plan ni Coach Marjo (Allado),” said deputy Arman Esteban. “Yung players gustong manalo kaya at least even if we came from behind, naka-secure kami ng three points ngayong araw.”

The result was a reversal of both schools’ first-round clash, which De La Salle won 1-0 off Lucas Aguilar’s goal last October 6.

The Golden Booters rose to second place in the standings with 12 points and a plus-1 goal difference. UST will return to action this Sunday against Adamson University at 4:30 p.m. on the same pitch.

On the other hand, the Green Booters remained in fifth place with seven points and a minus-5 GD.

De La Salle will try to end a two-game skid when it faces University of the East this Sunday at 7 p.m. at the same venue.