League-leading Far Eastern University (FEU) experienced its first loss against Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU), 1-4, in the second round of eliminations in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season 81 men’s football tournament, March 28, at the FEU Diliman football field, Quezon City.

“Well, I think this loss came in a time which is forgiving in the first game of the second round. There are a lot of realizations after the long break, it’s more on the team motivation, I believe,” FEU assistant coach Albert Besa said.

Despite losing this game, FEU is still the number one seed in the said tourney with a 4-3-1 win-draw-loss record for 15 points. Meanwhile, Ateneo took the second place tied with De La Salle University (DLSU) for 13 points.

The Morayta-based squad broke the ice when Tamaraw midfielder Kim Minsu found the back of the net at the 11th minute mark. Ateneo’s Jacob Liao answered back with a header at the 29th minute, and Rupert Baña nailed a goal in the 38th minute to give Ateneo 1-2 lead before halftime.

The UAAP season 79 Most Valuable Player (MVP) recipient, Javier Gayoso, chipped in at the 73rd minute. Five minutes later, Liao nailed the coffin when he doubled his scoring.

FEU’s goalkeeper Dave Parac had to sit out this game due to knee injury. Parac was then replaced by Jermi Darapan to fill in the goalkeeper duties for the Tamaraws.

“During spare time and spare practice, Jermi [Darapan] likes playing goalkeeper. He made a good few saves, but we were unlucky,” Besa said.

The green-and-gold booters will try to bounce back into the winning column when they face the University of Santo Tomas (UST) on March 31, at the same venue.

- Joaquin Luis E. Quesada
(See full album: UAAP 81 Men's Football - FEU vs Ateneo)