The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Junior Golden Booters made history by dethroning Far Eastern University-Diliman (FEU-D) with a dramatic 2-1 victory in the UAAP Season 87 high school football final on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Joshua Moleje and James Sunog led UST’s charge, ending FEU-D’s 12-year dominance and securing their first-ever boys’ division championship. “Since day one, we’ve been working on this, and I know these boys deserve it,” said Moleje. “Last year we didn’t win. Now, we’re dedicating this win to our seniors. We just played with our hearts, gave it everything, and God gave us the gold.”
Moleje broke the deadlock in the 40th minute, but FEU-D responded with an equalizer just before halftime through Sambher Nash Abrenica’s long-range strike. In the 68th minute, Sunog tapped in the game-winner, sealing UST’s first UAAP football crown since their Lady Booters’ triumph in Season 74. “Masaya po pero mas masaya po na nakuha namin yung gold at champion po,” said Sunog.
Despite a late push from FEU-D, UST’s goalkeeper Edcel James Lauron held firm, denying a last-minute header from Jerriemy Biton. Seconds later, the final whistle sounded, officially crowning UST as champions.
Assistant coach David Basa praised his team’s resilience. “Lahat talaga binigay nila. Last minute, ang daming atake ng FEU-D pero hindi sila bumigay. Gusto talaga nila makuha yung final.”
This marks the first time since Season 72 that the high school football title does not belong to FEU-D. The Baby Tamaraws topped the eliminations and narrowly escaped the semifinals but fell short in the final. Despite the loss, Biton earned multiple awards, including Rookie of the Year, Best Striker, and Golden Boot after scoring 10 goals.
Other awardees included De La Salle Zobel’s Bacchus Ekberg (Best Defender), Southridge’s Paolo Tansingco (Best Goalkeeper), and UST’s Stephen Flores, who was named Most Valuable Player. FEU-D also took home the Fair Play Award for the fewest yellow and red cards.
De La Salle-Zobel secured the bronze medal for the second consecutive year.