By Joshua Kyle Beltran

Despite enduring a grueling battle of physicality, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw Booters toppled the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Blue Eagles, 2-0, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men’s football tournament earlier today, January 25, at the University of the Philippines Diliman Football Pitch in Quezon City.

With offense hot on their end, green-and-gold booters Karl Absalon and Theo Libarnes took it in turns for a goal with close attempts around the 35-minute mark. 

Four minutes later, Libarnes threaded past AdMU’s defense with a subtle dink in the goal box, granting FEU a comfortable 1-0 advantage until half time.

Into the second half, the Tamaraws were eventually startled by Blue Eagle Kofi Agyei’s close strike in the 52nd minute.

With fatigue slowly catching up and physicality quickly intensifying, it was not long until multiple Morayta-based booters suffered injuries that eventually disrupted their momentum.

Fighting to keep their one goal advantage afloat, green-and-gold striker Selwyn Mamon took matters into his own hands to seal the deal in the seventh minute of added time, 2-0.

In a post-game interview with FEU Advocate, Tamaraw Booters head coach Jake Morallo commended the team for staying composed and sticking to the plan.

“I think maganda ‘yung game ngayon, ‘no, not just the second half but mostly the first half, we dominated the game; we played well. Marami kaming mga chances, naha-handle namin ‘yung pressure ng Ateneo… Nag-stick sila sa plan (We had many chances, we handled the pressure from Ateneo. They stuck to the plan),” he said.

Morallo also acknowledged the injuries that took place during the game, emphasizing the need to balance the players’ minutes on the field. 

“Siguro ‘yung feeling ko ‘yung overfatigue na siguro mga players… As nung sinabi ko nung nakaraan, ang daming injuries ngayon… Kailangan naming balansehin (I feel like it was the overfatigue that got the best of the players. As I mentioned before, we have many injuries. We need to balance them),” he stressed.

Sitting comfortably at a 7-2-2 win-draw-loss record, FEU seeks to close the second round on a high note against University of Santo Tomas on Thursday, January 29, at the same venue.
(Photo by Melvin James Urubio/FEU Advocate)