By Vince Matthew Jaramilla

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw Booters settled for a tied finish against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 2-2, to end their elimination round run in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 men’s football tourney earlier tonight, November 28, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch in Quezon City.

FEU competed with only 13 men, opting to rest their players who possessed yellow cards to prevent any suspension.

The former finals rivals opened the match without hesitation, with early free kicks for UP in the first minute and FEU in the fourth.

At the nine-minute mark, the intensity extended with an exchange of shots on target between the squads, but there were still no points scored.

Fortunately, a penalty kick was rewarded to Tamaraw Booter Karl Absalon in the 15th minute, which he then cashed in at the 18-minute mark to go up, 1-0.

The Fighting Maroons tried to get the point back just three minutes after, but green-and-gold goalie Jet Fabrigas covered the target just in time.

Despite the physicality rising and UP continuously threatening FEU’s goal, the Morayta-based booters remained stable on both sides of the field for the rest of the first half.

After the break, the increased intensity gave way to a free kick assist by Tamaraw Booter Eugene Arriola to Selwyn Mamon at the 51-minute mark. Unfortunately, the forward’s header strike only hit the top bar.

Just like the first half, the Fighting Maroons strung several consecutive attempts, including a push without Fabrigas at the goal, but the green-and-gold squad covered each other’s defensive lapses.

At the 80-minute mark, FEU found more gas left in their tank to convert their defense. With a dish by Al Galario, Mamon found the back of the net to extend their lead.

However, the Diliman booters did not go out without a fight as Ramil Bation struck a point in the 86th minute.

The Tamaraw Booters then had to face a UP squad with renewed vigor. Despite multiple FEU saves in the extension, Bation completed a brace in the fifth extra minute to tie the game.

In their round one match last October 20, it was the green-and-gold squad that tied the game up in the last minute. Now, the Fighting Maroons have returned the favor.

In a post-game interview with FEU Advocate, Morayta-based head coach Roman Oliver saw no issues with the game’s result.

“No problem, absolutely no problem. Today is not the important match… We have all [of] the squad ready for the Final Four. Let’s see what happens when we don’t have any handicap,” he said.

The lead tactician also remained confident despite not finishing the elimination with the top spot. 

“Now, we don’t have any option to be top one. We’re gonna be second or third. It means we’re gonna face UP, 90 percent.. We’re ready to play against them again,” Oliver added.

FEU ended the eliminations with a 7-3-2 win-draw-loss card and is set to begin their Final Four campaign in an unannounced date and venue as of writing.

(Photo by Zedrich Xylak Madrid/FEU Advocate)