FEU crumbles in dying minutes, concedes football crown to UP

By Joshua Kyle Beltran

In their Final rematch after two seasons, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw Booters bowed down to the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 1-2, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men’s football final yesterday, February 23, at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila City.

This match mimicked their Season 86 finish against UP, wherein FEU fell short of a back-to-back title run.

Forced to recalibrate, the Tamaraw Booters had to play without go-to striker Selwyn Mamon due to a suspension.

With what seemed like a nil-nil first half, Karl Absalon surged with a header at the 45+2-minute mark to secure the green-and-gold squad a one-point lead entering the second half.

In the 57th minute, the Morayta-based squad put their guard up as UP's Ramil Bation III rolled the ball into the goal box. Fortunately, FEU’s Al Galario kicked it out before crossing the line.

Shortly after, Tamaraw goalie Mon Diansuy proceeded to make a crucial save against Fighting Maroon Jian Caraig’s midrange goal at the 75-minute mark.

However, the last minute of stoppage time turned the tables for FEU as maroon-and-white striker Charles Lobitaña sent the match into another grueling 30 minutes with a penalty kick, 1-1.

It was a downward spiral for the green-and-gold squad moving forward as UP’s Bation III delivered another goal in the 104th minute of extra time, 1-2.

Minutes later, Morayta-based striker Edgar Aban attempted to equalize the scoreboard with a free kick, but the shot proved futile as it went over the crossbar.

Even with Czam Acuesta’s late sprint to the penalty line, the Tamaraw Booters stumbled under pressure and eventually conceded the title to the Fighting Maroons.

In a post-game interview, FEU head coach Jake Morallo spoke on the team’s lack of game management toward the dying minutes of the match.

“The last one minute [and] seconds, two minutes medyo nagkulang kami sa (we lacked in) game management. Like I said, it was in our hands na, nakuha pa nila (they still snatched it),” he said.

Still, Morallo treated it as a lesson while also showing hope for homegrown talent.

“Gutom pa rin ang team na mabawi namin sa UP [ang championship] (The team is still eager to bounce back from UP for the title). Let’s see also kasi we have some high school players na mag-move up, I think malaking bagay siya (It would be a big change)… We [will] learn from this game,” he expressed.

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