The University of Santo Tomas Junior Golden Booters emerged triumphant over the Far Eastern University - Diliman Baby Tamaraws, 2-1, in the championship of the UAAP Season 87 juniors’ football tournament on Saturday, March 29, at the University of the Philippines football pitch.

This is the first time that UST took home the championship in the juniors football division, ending the Baby Tamaraws’ 12-season reign that started on the 73rd season of the UAAP way back 2010.

Spain-bound Josh Moleje took home the season’s best midfielder award, with centerback Stephen Flores being hailed as the finals MVP, due to his prolific defense against the tenacious FEU-D attackers.

“Since day one, since summer, we've been working for this… I know these boys deserve it. For our seniors last year, we couldn't give it to them. Now, we're dedicating this win [to] our seniors,” said Moleje.

“We did our best and I know we deserve this,” he added.

The opening half saw the Baby Tamaraws take most of the possession, garnering multiple chances in the earlier minutes, but most attacks from FEU-D were defended well by the Junior Golden Booters.

The see-saw of possessions and attempts at goal continued until a counterattack led to Josh Moleje breaking the stalemate in the 40th minute after finding the back of the net off an assist from Yuan Maniscan, to score the opening goal in favor of the Junior Golden Booters, 1-0.

In hopes of extending the lead, Maniscan carried out a cross pass that found Joshua Balliner alone in the box, however, Balliner's header was defended well by FEU keeper Jian Abara in the next minute.

The Baby Tamaraws quickly equalized in the 43rd minute after a direct shot from Nash Abrenica went past Edcel Lauron, 1-1.

UST defender James Sunog scored the Junior Golden Booters’ second goal in the 69th minute, after a shot from Maniscan deflected from the hands of Abara, 2-1.

The Diliman-based squad continued to hold on into the possession in hopes of finding an equalizer, however, Lauron and the rest of the UST defense line ultimately fended off the gritty Baby Tamaraws, ending the dynasty FEU started way back 2010, in the 73rd edition of the UAAP.

In an exclusive interview with TomasinoWeb on Wednesday, March 26, Junior Golden Booters' assistant coach David Basa expressed confidence in the team's ability to defeat the Baby Tamaraws, a belief that was later reflected in the team’s performance.

“Happy talaga ako na naibigay nila ‘yung championship for the school,” said Basa.

“Last minute andami talagang atake ng FEU. Gusto talaga nilang [Junior Golden Booters] kunin ‘yung finals [at] alam talaga nila sa sarili nila na kaya nilang manalo dito sa UAAP,” he added.

Despite an ill-stricken lineup, the team gave it their all, says graduating senior Lauron.

“Lahat talaga [kami] nagbigay ng 100% na laro, even [if] may mga sakit kami,” said the UST goalkeeper, who will now eye a spot in the seniors division of UAAP.

The España-based squad finished the season with a 9-1-2 win-draw-loss record, including a tight semifinal match win against the De La Salle Zobel Junior Green Booters and a record-breaking win against the Baby Tamaraws in the finals.