DEFENDING champion Far Eastern University-Diliman and University of Santo Tomas forged their a Final rematch in the UAAP high school football tournament after surviving pesky foes Saturday at the UP Football Stadium.

Jerriemy Biton’s second minute goal was enough for the Baby Tamaraws, aiming for a record 13th consecutive title and a fourth treble in school history, to edge out hard-fighting Southridge, 1-0.

The Junior Golden Booters overcame La Salle-Zobel, 2-1, to have a chance to finally claim the crown in the other Final Four duel.

FEU-D and UST go for all the marbles in the one-off championship at 5 p.m. on Saturday at the same Diliman pitch.

The Baby Tamaraws had nothing but praises for the Muntinlupa-based Admirals, one of the two guest teams which competed this season.

“It was a really good game against Southridge,” said FEU-D coach Jake Morallo. “We all know naman na gusto nila may mapatunayan sila sa Season 87. Of course, happy kami despite many challenges.

“It was an early goal pero I think hindi kami masyadong naglaro nang maayos sa second half. We were struggling to score pero may mga chances na kita naman natin na tumama sa poste. Medyo nagkulang pa talaga to win this game para sa akin,” he added.

Meanwhile, Joshua Balliner and Argos Alingalan scored second-half goals for the Junior Golden Booters.

Justin Concepcion, capitalized on a set-piece, struck in the 80th minute and the Junior Green Booters pushed hard for an equalizer, but were not able to get the job done.

“Tough game. Binigyan talaga kami ng laban ng La Salle,” said UST assistant coach David Basa. “Pinaghandaan yung plan namin. Nahirapan kami nung first half.

“Nagawa nila yun for the first half and early second half. Medyo napagod din yung team nila kasi runners din talaga yung players namin kaya siguro nakahanap kami ng opening to score two goals,” he added.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado