By Leiniel A. Santos

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw Booters wielded authority to get revenge against the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Booters, 4-0, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 men’s football tournament earlier today, April 28, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch in Quezon City.

The green-and-gold squad kicked-off the match with a ball control but the Green Booters managed to keep up and steal the possession.

Despite losing ball control, the Tamaraws put pressure on DLSU’s offense with two ball resets, keeping them from moving near their goal.

When the Morayta-based squad got the chance offensively, FEU’s Karl Absalon managed to set the pace and gain momentum with three consecutive goal attempts.

However, La Salle showed resilience in their defense to keep the Tamaraws’ goal clean.

The green-and-gold Booters ended the first half scoreless despite tallying 12 total goal attempts. 

Fortunately, the Besa-led squad brought their momentum in the second half as they went all out with four successful goals.

Selwyn Mamon yielded two goals in the 71th and 82nd minute, Absalon in the 80th and Viejay Frigillano in 88th to win the match.

In a post-game interview, Tamaraw Head Coach Alberto Besa shared how the team played differently in the first half but went all out towards the end of the match.

“Especially in the second half, they came out and they went all out. The first half we also missed a few chances, Mamon missed two in one on one attempts which should’ve gone in. But in the first half, we were being very cautious which really isn’t us, we like to go a lot so I think in the second half, they went out all the way,” he said. 

He also added that their loss and tie match helped them to improve their game.

“I think the tie against UST and the loss last game kinda woke us up, it showed us some things that we needed to work on. It was a good wake up call, and together with that, learning from the loss and tie, together with the way we play, I think it’s gonna be good moving forward,” he added.

The Tamaraw booters improved their standing with 8-1-2 win-draw-loss record and will try to end the elimination round with a win against the University of the East on Thursday, May 2, at the same venue.

(Photo by Karch Rafael/FEU Advocate)