By Dwyane Harry L. Cabrera

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw Booters held their ground to push the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Blue Eagles to a stalemate, 1-1, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men’s football tournament earlier tonight, October 16, at the University of the Philippines Diliman Football Pitch in Quezon City.

At the sound of the opening whistle, the Morayta-based squad sizzled early, attempting an immediate strike but were denied by the blue-and-white squad defense.

Midway through the first half, the Tamaraw Booters shifted to a more defensive approach to match AdMU's pace, keeping the scoreboard untouched.

At the 29-minute mark, midfielder Edgar Aban spearheaded FEU’s attack, trying to break through before being denied by Ateneo’s goalkeeper Juan Tansingco.

However, the green-and-gold squad were not able to defend their net as the Katipunan-based squad gained an advantage through a penalty conversion by Dov Cariño in the 40th minute, 0-1.

Seconds after their first goal, the blue-and-white squad attempted to score again, until Morayta-based goalie Jetrick Fabrigas stood tall at the post to stop Blue Eagle Kofi Agyei’s goal.

At the start of the second half, the Tamaraw Booters were limited to staying on their defensive side, preventing the Katipunan-based team from adding another goal.

Momentum then shifted to the green-and-gold squad as forward Selwyn Mamon fired up an open strike to tie the game in the 71st minute, 1-1.

At the 80-minute mark, FEU was able to fend off AdMU’s consecutive attacks to keep the game equalized.

With seven minutes of stoppage time, a nip-and-tuck affair for the ball occurred between both teams which limited each other from scoring, with the match eventually resulting in a draw. 

In a post-game interview with FEU Advocate, Tamaraw Booters interim head coach Jake Morallo mentioned that despite their lapses and shortcomings, the team managed to dominate the game. 

"Maganda naman ‘yung game namin ngayon, pero sa first half, medyo off since we never [expected] that they'll change their style (The game went great, though we slightly started off since we never expected that they will change their style). But I think we dominated the game and got lots of chances," he added.

Looking to end the first round of elimination with a win, he expressed the need to study more about their opponent.

“We have to study well muna and of course, para maka-prepare kami and nasusunod naman namin ‘yung play (We have to study well so we can prepare and plan our plays). But we have to make [a] different plan up against [De La Salle University (DLSU)],” he stated.

The Tamaraws Booters now hold a 2-2-1 win-draw-loss record, and will look to end the first round on a positive note against DLSU this Sunday, October 19, at the same venue.

(Photo by James Neil Tamayo/FEU Advocate)