Southridge makes history
SOUTHRIDGE made history in the UAAP high school boys football tournament, overcoming La Salle-Zobel, 2-1, in a thrilling all-Muntinlupa duel Saturday at the UP Football Stadium.
Francis Poticano had a second-half brace and improving his personal tally to four goals this year to help the Admirals earn three points, a remarkable feat for one of the two guest teams competing this season.
Increasing its tally to seven points in fifth place, two off fourth-placed Ateneo with two matches left in the eliminations, Southridge found itself in the Final Four hunt.
“Oh, that’s class,” said the Admirals’ Ghanian coach Sam Bonney. “We’ve been working on it for for months now. It’s so unlucky that when the tournament started, (Poticano) was not getting that movement and the clear shots, but we know his quality and what he can do. So him scoring these goals, it’s not a surprise for me. I know he can do it since he’s been doing it in practice, just that it’s not getting in the game but today he was able to find the back of the net.”
Southridge’s postseason hopes were further strengthened when holders Far Eastern University-Diliman edged Ateneo 1-0 to return to winning ways.
The Baby Tamaraws, who battled to a 1-1 stalemate against the Admirals last Feb. 22, remain on top of the table with 22 points.
FEU-D captain Francis Sambaan scored the match’s only goal in the 77th minute from close range in a set-piece play.
“Masaya kami sa (pag) bounce back namin from (the) Southridge game,” said Baby Tamaraws coach Jake Morallo. “Almost the same concept sila sa defending, nag-lo-low-block, sobrang mahirap i-penetrate but then nagawan parin ng paraan na at naka-score kami.”
Justin Aque struck in the 16th minute as UST defeated Claret, 1-0, to improve to 19 points, three off FEU-D.
