By Angel Joyce C. Basa 

Far Eastern University (FEU) Booters ended the match with another man down in a 1-1 draw against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 men’s football tournament held at the University of the Philippines Football Field in Quezon City earlier today, March 5. 

FEU had their first 10-man team in their match against the De La Salle University Green Booters after defender Mel Baylon hit DLSU’s Mohammad Almohjili.

In the match against UP, Tamaraw defender Ace Amita was handed a red card in the 33rd minute after tackling team captain Francis Tacardon of the maroon side, giving the team their second 10-man fight.

Green-and-gold striker Khent Brian Valenzuela stirred up the game in the first half after executing a go-ahead kick during the 10-minute mark.

In a post-game interview with FEU Advocate, Valenzuela revealed that they had a hard time controlling the game following Amita’s red card call in the early half.

“Kasi po early pa [sa laro] na-red card si Ace Amita, [kaya] nahirapan po kami mag-control ng game kasi down na kami ng isang tao. ‘Yun siguro one of the reasons bakit po draw [‘yung resulta] pero po maganda ‘yung laro ng UP against us po (Ace Amita was given a red card early [on in the game], [so] we had a hard time controlling the game because we are one man down. I think that is one of the reasons why [the game] was a draw but UP played well against us),“ he stated.

UP’s Anton Guarina tied the bar on his second attempt for a strike in the 53rd minute to close the game in a draw. 

The Morayta-based footballers are now at a 2-2-0 win-draw-loss record and will face the Adamson University Soaring Falcons on Thursday, March 9 at the same venue.

(Photo courtesy of The UAAP)