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| c/o UAAP |
University of Santo Tomas rode a strong first-half performance to secure a 2-1 victory over De La Salle University in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament on Sunday at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub here.
Golden Booters midfielder CJ Songalia opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a long-range strike that beat Green Booters goalkeeper Edcel James Lauron. Kyler Escobar then doubled UST’s lead in the 42nd minute with a composed finish.
Songalia nearly claimed a brace for UST, but his second-half penalty—awarded for a handball in the La Salle box—was denied by Lauron, who was part of the Junior Golden Booters squad that won the Season 87 boys’ high school crown.
After starting the season on a winning note, UST will next face Adamson University this Thursday at 4:30 p.m. at Vermosa.
“Commendable first half from the boys. They played really well,” said Golden Booters coach Marjo Allado, who enjoyed double wins in both the women’s and men’s divisions this opening weekend.
“But in the second half, it was scary because we collapsed a bit. After that penalty save by La Salle, they got the momentum to score an equalizer. Overall, though, the players’ fighting spirit was there.”
Meanwhile, La Salle proved to be a tough challenge under new coach Richard Leyble.
Rookie forward James Sibla appeared to score the Green Booters’ equalizer after Songalia’s opener, but the effort was ruled offside.
Sophomore striker Lukie Aguilar was a constant threat, hitting the crossbar early in the second half and later forcing an own goal by Sam Alegre in the 83rd minute—though it came too late to change the outcome.
La Salle will look to rebound against the University of the East this Thursday at 2 p.m., also at Vermosa.
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