Far Eastern University (FEU) Booters' Captain Jermi Darapan recorded his first goal in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 men’s football tourney to contribute to their victory against the Adamson University (AdU) Falcon Booters, 3-0, held earlier today, March 14, at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman Football Pitch in Quezon City.

The Tamaraw forward put the Booters to a 1-0 lead with a penalty kick at the 22nd minute.

In a post-game interview with FEU Advocate, Darapan expressed his joy to score his first goal after resting their last game.

"Impossible is what you do so I'm very blessed talaga na makalaro, [and] makuha 'yung first goal ko and binigyan ako ng opportunity to step up. Naka-score pa sana nang marami pero very happy and looking forward sa mga next game (Impossible is what you do so I'm really very blessed that I got to play, record my first goal, and that I was given an opportunity to step up. I could have scored more but I'm very happy and am looking forward to our next games)," he shared.

The green-and-gold captain had a new opportunity to score with another penalty, but Falcon goalie Andrew Nalog made the crucial save at the 32-minute mark.

Early in the second half, the Darapan-led squad experienced higher intensity from Adamson’s improved play.

Fortunately, Karl Absalon broke through the defense at the 65th minute to separate from the Falcon Booters.

The Morayta-based squad defended excellently as the game went on, suffocating the San Marcelino-based squad and preventing multiple strikes.

Victory was sealed at the 5th minute extension of the second half as midfielder Abdulnasser Mustapa also scored his first goal of the season with a far strike from the open field.

Looking at their performance, the Booters' captain then mentioned their mentality in order to improve in their next games.

"Well, job's not done so kailangan namin 'yung mentality na hindi pa kami (we need the mentality that we are not yet) champions. [We should take] one game at a time and balik na naman sa training grounds kung ano 'yung dapat namin i-improve (go back to the training grounds of what we should improve),” he said.

Now with a four-game winning streak, FEU kept their standing at a 4-0-1 win-draw-loss card and will aim to close out the first round with another win as they face the University of Santo Tomas Golden Booters on Sunday, March 17, at the same venue. 

-Vince Matthew Jaramilla

(Photo courtesy of Zedrich Xylak Madrid/FEU Advocate)