By Vince Matthew Jaramilla

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw Booters Theo Libarnes, Eugene Arriola, Selwyn Mamon, Mc Jay Neniel, and Karl Absalon took it upon their hands to dominate the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 5-0, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 men's football tourney earlier tonight, November 7, at the University of the Philippines Diliman Football Pitch in Quezon City.

Last game against Adamson University on November 3, five players also scored without conceding a goal.

In a post-game interview with FEU Advocate, head coach Roman Oliver attributed the number of their scores to their teamwork.

"It's about teamwork. We are the team with the most different goal scorers so it's going to give us a good chance to score and win matches, so I'm happy. I don't care who score[s as long as] it's the team scoring," he said.

The Tamaraw Booters launched their offense immediately with strikes by forwards Khent Valenzuela and Libarnes in the first 30 seconds and sixth minute, respectively.

UE tried to return the favor early as well with a push at the 11-minute mark, only to be blocked by FEU goalie Mon Diansuy.

With the green-and-gold squad dictating the pace of the game, Libarnes was first to get into the scoreboard with a high shot in the 22nd minute after a throw-in play led by Arriola.

Libarnes and Arriola mounted another push just two minutes after, but the former missed his bicycle kick attempt despite the latter's accurate pass.

As the physicality went up, FEU was granted a free kick at the 37th minute. Fortunately, Arriola delivered with a long strike, putting the Tamaraws up at halftime, 2-0.

In the second half, the Morayta booters' defense was quickly challenged by two attempts from the Recto-based squad in the 3rd and 4th minutes. Still, Diansuy remained solid and blocked both.

The green-and-gold keeper continued his impressive goal coverage at the 55-minute mark, denying the red-and-white squad a header goal from a corner kick play.

At the 74-minute mark, the Tamaraw Booters converted their defense to another point behind Mamon's header, separating further from the Red Warriors.

Neniel and Absalon then put the final touches to their clean sheet in the 89th minute and in the extension, respectively, for another round two victory.

With another clean sheet, Coach Roman highlighted teamwork once again for FEU's elite defense.

"It's about the team's performance. Last match, Adamson shot zero times… [Goalkeeping] is an important job, but it's more about teamwork. We are not conceding goals because, I think, our behavior when we lose the ball is better than in the first leg. We have to continue that," he stated.

Improving their win-draw-loss card to 5-1-2, the Oliver-led squad will aim to extend their dominance contra University of the Santo Tomas next Thursday, November 14, at the same venue.

(Photo courtesy of the UAAP Media Team)