UST close in on Final Four slot with a win against UE

Photo Credits: UAAP

Capping off April 20th's doubleheader, the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers and the University of the East Red Warriors put on a show as they went toe-to-toe as the second round of the UAAP Season 85 reaches its final stages.

With the final four spots still up for grabs, both UST and UE squared off as both sides seem to be still in contention to make it to the knockout stages. The Golden Booters, however, got the better of the Red Warriors in a 3-1 win and moves up to sixth place with 13 points and a plus-two in goal difference.

Vanne Jintula opened the scoring for the España-based booters in the 24th minute after canceling out Jerome Abarca's opener in the ninth minute. The South Cotabato native was named the man of the match with a goal and an assist as he helped his team keep their postseason hopes alive.

"For how many games, laging sa bench si Jintula,” said coach Marjo Allado. “For today, honestly, may sakit na yan pero motivated siya talaga. Mabuting naka goal siya kaagad kasi kung tumagal pa yun, mahihirapan kami kay UE. UE is a strong team. For Jintula naman, a good performance tonight.”

Richard Songalia also left a mark in this game after a goal-of-the-season contender strike in the 35th minute put them up by two goals to one. Songalia was the recipient of an errant ball that was cleared by the defense of the Red Warriors which the former Don Bosco Technical College-Cebu standout powered through the back of the net with a first-time volley.

Photo Credits: UAAP

Coach Allado believes that they are still in the hunt for the remaining tickets to the Final Four provided that they win or get some huge results in their upcoming matches. “Buhay pa kami sa top four. Focus lang kami sa next game namin against Ateneo but for today’s game, sobrang laking bagay siya sa points namin kasi kanina 10 points lang kami. Plus three points today, 13, and then we have two more games. At least nakabawi kami kay UE,” said Allado referring to his team’s first-round 2-1 loss last March 16.

The Golden Booters will now face the co-league leaders Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles on Sunday, April 30, 2023 at 4:30PM where they will hope to get another win to push them up in the standings. Their matchup against the Blue Eagles will then be followed by the showdown between the Far Eastern University Tamaraws and the De La Salle University Green Booters at 6:30 PM.