UAAP: Balliner hat-trick powers UST over UE

MANILA — Joshua Balliner netted a hat-trick in University of Santo Tomas’ 5-1 demolition of University of the East in the UAAP Season 89 men’s football tournament, Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

Balliner set the tone of the match, finding the back of the net in the ninth minute.

The Red Warriors were quick to respond, with Keith Hermoso powering through for the equalizer in the 13th minute.

Balliner restored UST’s lead just five minutes later before Carsten Pumareja extended the advantage in the 29th minute, sending the Golden Booters into halftime with a 3-1 cushion.

Novie Paraiso made it 4-1 in the 62nd minute, setting the stage for Balliner to put the finishing touches on the victory and complete his first hat-trick of the season with an 82nd-minute strike.

With another three points secured, UST moved to fourth place with 14 points, level with De La Salle University but behind the Green Booters on goal difference, +8 to +13.

“We told the boys that they didn’t need to score much; just a win of 1-0 will do. Kasi yun ang goal namin to gain the three points, but the boys played well as they knew the urgency. They had the confidence, determination and discipline against UE,” said assistant coach Carlos Santiago.

Both squads return to action at the UP Diliman Football Stadium on Thursday.

UST kicks off the day’s fixtures at 2 p.m., looking to overtake DLSU for third place, while UE searches for its first points of the season in the 7 p.m. finale against Ateneo de Manila University.