Adamson University celebrates a goal against UST in the UAAP Season 87 men's football tournament, November 10, 2024 at the UP Diliman Football Stadium. UAAP MediaMANILA -- Adamson University ended a five-year wait on Sunday as they completed a 2-1 upset of the University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 87 men's football tournament at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Marlon Dasig and Roberto Roldan delivered for the Soaring Falcons as they claimed their first win in five years.
Incidentally, their last triumph also came at the expense of UST, having scored a 1-nil triumph against the Golden Booters in Season 81 on April 14, 2019.
"All the credit goes to the players," said coach Darlton Digha. "It's not easy coming from losing eight games. We conceded 13 goals in two games in the second round and the players still had that fighting spirit to win today. That's what I want from my players — to keep going even if we're at the bottom."
Dasig converted a 20th-minute penalty that was awarded due to a foul from UST's Sam Alegre. The Soaring Falcons then doubled their lead in the 36th minute off Roldan's strike to earn a huge cushion by the halftime break.
But Adamson struggled to close the game, with defender KC Napili getting sent off in the 71st minute.
Substitute John Paul Selarde pulled a goal back for UST in the 80th minute, but the Golden Booters failed to complete the comeback.
While they remained at the bottom of the standings, the Soaring Falcons improved their tally to three points while having a goal difference of minus-25.
Adamson will next play league leader Ateneo de Manila University this Thursday at 4 p.m. on the same pitch.
Back in the first round, the Golden Booters prevailed 1-0 against the Soaring Falcons last October 14.
UST finished the weekend in fourth place with 12 points, and it will try to bounce back against Far Eastern University this Thursday at 4 p.m. at the same venue.