By Joshua Kyle Beltran
With safety off, seven Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw Booters heated up against the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 10-0, in their opening game of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 men’s football tourney earlier today, October 4, at the University of the Philippines Diliman Football Pitch in Quezon City.
FEU saw distributed scoring among its players — with Theo Libarnes, RJ Buenafe, Leoven Gatungay, Selwyn Mamon, Karl Absalon, Czam Acuesta, and rookie Dionesio Diaz each contributing to the total score.
Man of the Match Libarnes set the tone early with a brace, built on a side-foot finish in the six-yard box and a cross off an assist from Absalon in the 19th and 21st minutes, respectively.
Just before halftime, the Tamaraw Booters remained aggressive as Buenafe scored the green-and-gold team’s third point at the 41-minute mark, followed by Gatungay’s goal three minutes later.
Coming off the bench, team captain Mamon came in guns-a-blazing with three consecutive goals in the 47th, 51st, and 55th minutes to lift the Morayta-based squad to 7-0. FEU kept its foot on the gas as Absalon converted a header 12 minutes later.
As the Red Warriors looked helpless, sophomore Acuesta sent the ball into the top bins at the 80-minute mark.
With three minutes of added time, Diaz sealed the deal with a close-up strike against UE, 10-0.
In a post-game interview with FEU Advocate, Mamon emphasized how the team amped up their efforts in the second half in line with their ‘sama-sama’ mantra, which eventually led to the storm of goals.
“Nung first half, maganda ‘yung pinakita [nila], pero mas lalong nag-double effort nung second half… ‘Yung scoring namin as a team, ‘yung mentality ng lahat na kahit ano man ‘yung gawin sa loob o labas man ng field, sama-sama po kami, iisang goal lang ‘yung iniisip namin (In the first half, they showed a great performance, but they turned it up a notch in the second. Our scoring, our mentality is that no matter what we do on or off the pitch, we do it together),” he shared.
Scoring his first-ever goal in the seniors division, rookie midfielder Diaz felt grateful for the chance to play even during the final minutes, highlighting his must-score mentality.
“Siyempre masaya na binigyan ako ng time ng mga coaches namin, at siyempre ‘yung mentality ko lang na pag nakapasok ako dito, mag-go-goal talaga ako, magko-contribute ako (I feel happy that I was given a chance to play, and of course, I keep on my must-score mentality that whenever I step on the pitch, I will contribute),” he said.
Kicking off their campaign on a high note, the Tamaraw Booters look to continue their offensive masterclass as they face De La Salle University next Sunday, October 11, at the same venue.
(Photo by Ma. Louela Luna/FEU Advocate)