By Fibby Ann Mercado

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw Booters sealed the deal against the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 2-0, to claim their second victory in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men’s football tournament earlier today, October 9, at the University of the Philippines Diliman Football Pitch in Quezon City.

UE pressured early to score a goal at the 17-minute mark, but FEU keeper Jet Fabrigas stood firm to deny the attempt from Red Warrior Nicho Sumano. 

In the 20th minute, Czam Acuesta led multiple attacking plays that kept the red-and-white team’s defense on high alert, though none found the back of the net.

By the end of the first half, the Tamaraws continued to press forward with several close attempts in the first minute of added time, but the shots were denied.

As the second half began, Acuesta attempted to score at the 50-minute mark, but it was rookie Jerby Anito who found the back of the net, putting the Morayta-based squad ahead.

Sustaining their momentum, Theo Libarnes followed up with another goal seven minutes later, extending the green-and-gold booters’ lead to 2-0.

As minutes ran on the clock, FEU held their defense for the remaining minutes of the second half. Ultimately, their defensive tactics proved effective in keeping the Warriors from scoring a goal, ending the match at two-nil.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, Tamaraw Booters team captain Mel Anthony Baylon shared the teams' adjustment from their previous game against University of Santo Tomas last October 5 which ended in a draw.

"Ngayong laro namin, grabe ‘yung adjustment and preparation namin sa tulong ni Coach Jake [Morallo], so may mga nabago na position and rotation sa game (In this game, our adjustments and preparation with the help of Coach Jake Morallo were extensive, so some positions and rotations in the game have been changed),” he said.

Baylon also expressed the team's aim in tackling their upcoming games strategically this Season 88.

"One game at a time lang kami, ayun ‘yung advice sa’min ng mga coach namin. Hayaan muna ‘yung part na 'defending champion' and focus muna sa season (We’re taking it one game at a time—that’s the advice our coaches gave us. We’re putting the ‘defending champion’ part aside for now and focusing on the season),” the team captain shared.

Now holding a 2-1-1 win-draw-loss record, the FEU Tamaraw Booters are set to face Ateneo de Manila University next Thursday, October 16, at the same venue.

(Photo by Shane Claudine Rodulfo/FEU Advocate)