MANILA – PAREF Southridge held defending champion Far Eastern University-Diliman to a 1-1 draw in the UAAP Season 87 boys’ football tournament Saturday night at the University of the Philippines-Diliman field.

Joziah Kendrick Rance and goalkeeper Paolo Tansingco keyed the Admirals win that denied the Baby Tamaraws an outright ticket to the final.

Rance delivered his goal in the 17th minute before FEU-D captain Francis Sambaan scored the equalizer in the 45th+4 minute.

Tansingco, celebrating his 18th birthday, prevented league top scorer Jerriemy Biton and substitutes John Incocencio and Arvin Alayon Jr. from scoring in the second half.

“I’m happy for the boys. They played according to the game plan. The main goal before we started the second round was to be part of the Final Four. That’s the goal,” Southridge’s Ghanaian coach Sam Bonney said.

“Tansingco is a machine. He really saved us today -- not just today, but in all our games. He was fantastic. We’re lucky to have a goalie like him. We thank him a lot and I wish him a happy birthday as well,” he added.

FEU-D remained on top of the standings with 19 points.

In the other game, University of Santo Tomas banked on Joshua Moleje’s brace to beat De La Salle Zobel, 2-1, and advance to the semifinal round with 16 points.

The Bacolod native scored on a penalty kick in the 13th minute and added one more in the 55th minute.

La Salle rallied behind Justin Concepcion's goal in the 73rd minute and could have forced a draw, but Concepcion’s stoppage-time free kick was saved by UST goalkeeper Edcel Lauron.

“We really give Joshua freedom and confidence in the game, so in return he gives the team goals. His teammates also help him to score," UST assistant coach David Basa said.

DLSZ still has 13 points despite the loss and has a four-point advantage over Ateneo, which prevailed over Claret, 3-2.

The Red Roosters drew first blood when Filbert Tacardon converted a penalty in the 69th minute.

The Blue Eagles responded with two goals from Karl Molina in the 72nd minute and substitute Quintin Angeles two minutes later.

Ethan Roxas scored from a tight angle in the 81st minute to give Ateneo a 3-1 lead before Tacardon came up with a header in the 90+8th minute.

“Of course, the No. 1 objective going into this game, the three points are very important,” Ateneo coach JP Merida said.

“We struggled in the first half. In the second half, we conceded an early goal, but good thing their mindset was it’s not the end of the game. They pushed in the last 20 minutes, which was why we scored three straight goals. Then in the latter part, we became complacent so the game ended at 3-2,” he added.

Southridge is in fifth place with four points while Claret is at the bottom. (PNA)