By Adrian Stewart Co

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) kicked off its UAAP Season 81 men’s football campaign with a 3-1 win over De La Salle University (DLSU) over the weekend at the Far Eastern University-Diliman (FEU-Diliman) pitch.

Rookie-laden DLSU drew first blood in the game with newcomer John Rey Lagura scoring at the 14th minute but it was quickly negated after UST’s Conrado Dimacali scored three minutes later.

Juan Villanueva gave UST a 2-1 advantage with a 36th minute goal before the lead doubled off a 68th minute strike by Glen Ramos.

In other opening day matches, FEU defeated the University of the East (UE), 4-1; while Adamson University drew National University (NU), 1-1.

After UE’s Mar Diano missed a penalty, Jermi Darapan of FEU found the back of the net in the 29th minute. Rookie Gio Pabualan then doubled the lead with a header in the 48th minute.

Champ Marin managed to pull one back for UE in the 51st minute, but Nikki Canonigo and Alex Rayos fortified FEU’s lead with goals in the 60th and 66th minutes, respectively.

In the other match, Mike Arbela’s goal for NU in the 79th minute was quickly canceled out in the 86th off a Jackson Ramos penalty for Adamson./ASC, WDJ