Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw Booters Selwyn Mamon and Theo Libarnes and Lady Tamaraw Booter Sarahgen Tulabing took immense pride in the FEU-Diliman (FEU-D) Baby Tamaraws as they anticipate a historic 13th straight title and another treble in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 boys’ football tourney.

“The community’s expectations can create pressure, but it also serves as motivation. The team knows they are not only playing for themselves but also for the legacy of the football program and the pride of our supporters,” former Baby Tam Mamon said in an online interview with FEU Advocate.

With 12 straight titles on their record, the FEU-D Booters are set to extend their winning streak in the upcoming season following their 3-0 domination against the University of Santo Tomas Junior Golden Booters in Season 86.

Libarnes, also a former player for the high school (HS) team, expressed his support for the young booters.

“My advice would be to stay focused and trust the process. They’ve been working hard all season, and now is the time to just stick to what they’ve practiced and believe in their abilities… The community is behind them, and they’ve got a legacy to uphold, but at the end of the day, it’s about playing their best football and supporting each other as a team. That’s what will carry them through,” Libarnes mentioned.

Preceding their success in the collegiate scene, Libarnes was awarded the Golden Boot and Best Striker award in their 12-peat win in Season 86, while Mamon was crowned Best Striker in Season 85, when they attained their last treble.

Calling back to their roots, the Season 87 men’s football champs reminisced about their time in the HS team as they look forward to the Baby Tams’ masterclass.

“Being part of the FEU HS team, especially during the 12-peat run, was a defining experience. It instilled a deep sense of pride and commitment in me… It feels like a culmination of years of effort, and to see how far the program has come, with both the men’s and women’s teams winning their titles this December, [it] is incredibly motivating,” the former Golden Boot awardee shared.

Meanwhile, Season 87 women’s football titleholder Sarahgen Tulabing emphasized the importance of composure and discipline in the tournament.

“They should also remember to take things one game at a time and not let the pressure overwhelm [them]. Also po disiplina lang po sa training at paniwalaan lang nila ang kanilang kakayahan upang makuha nila ang kanilang gusto makuha (Also, discipline during training and believing in their capabilities to get what they want),” she said.

The awaited Season 87 now branched into a six-team bracket featuring two guest teams, Claret School of Quezon City Red Roosters and PAREF Southridge School Admirals.

Facing the two respective guest schools, the defending champs kickstarted their stint with 6-0 and 1-0 victories.

With the top spot currently on hand, the Baby Tams look to build on their record as they take on the De La Salle Santiago Zobel School on Saturday, February 1, at the University of the Philippines Diliman Football Pitch in Quezon City.

- Joshua Kyle Beltran
(Photos by Gwyneth Mendoza and Zedrich Xylak Madrid/FEU Advocate; Courtesy of the UAAP Media Team)