By Angel Joyce C. Basa

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw Booter Sherwin Basindanan scored a crucial goal to secure a hard-earned win against Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Blue Eagles, 2-1, in the second round eliminations of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 men’s football tourney earlier tonight, March 24, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch in Quezon City.

Basindanan scored the game-winning goal during the 5 minute extension of the second half to end Ateneo’s chances of closing the match with a draw.

In a post-game interview, the green-and-gold striker shared that the team should constantly focus as they move forward in the second round.

“Continue nalang po kami, focus na lang kami sa mga susunod na games, saka mag-focus din kami sa finishing [ng laro] (We should continue, focus on the following games, and we should also focus on finishing the game),” he said.

Tamaraw Booter Karl Absalon pitched in an early goal to get ahead of the Blue Eagles at the 15th minute.

The team went down to a 10-man after Brian Valenzuela was given a red card in the 45-minute mark after clashing with a blue-and-white striker.

FEU Head Coach Albert Besa said in an interview that being down one man is a blessing in disguise for the champion team.

“It might be a blessing in disguise because it just shows that even when you're down [to] 10, we could still pass the ball and still create opportunities and it was not just one opportunity, it was a couple. So with that in mind, even [though] we're down 10, maybe even nine–that might be pushing it–kaya pa [nila] (they can still do it),” Besa said.

The Diliman-based Tamaraws are currently at a six game winning streak at the top of the leaderboard with a 6-0-1 win-draw-loss record and will face Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons on April 11 at the same venue.

(Photo by Karch Rafael/FEU Advocate)