Far Eastern University (FEU) Booters failed to maintain a clean record as they stumbled in their final game of round one against Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Blue Eagles, 0-1, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 men’s football tourney held at the University of the Philippines Diliman Football Field in Quezon City yesterday, March 16.

The Morayta-based kickers missed the presence of Team Captain Viejay Frigillano, who served a one-game suspension after obtaining two yellow cards in their last match against University of Santo Tomas. 

FEU had a slow start in the first half riddled with sloppy passes and plenty of close calls credited to AdMU’s potent defense. 

In a post-game interview with FEU Advocate, Assistant Coach Ramon Besa emphasized the missing presence of Frigillano Presence in the closing first round match against the defending champions.

“With our captain having a red card, he’s really the backbone behind [the team], and he could distribute pretty well so that’s what we were lacking today, the proper feeding. Because that’s why the captain is the captain. He really takes strides on the pitch, ” Besa said.

The game continued on a naught until Ateneo’s Leo Maquiling scored the goal at the 48-minute mark after executing a strong slash in the middle.  

Green-and-gold goalie Jetrick Fabrigas flourished defensively, racking up save after save and blocking all but one shots of AdMU on target amid FEU’s offensive shortcomings

Coach Besa added that the depleted Tamaraw booters gave a valiant effort, but a win was just not on the cards for them tonight.

“There are some days where teams are also unlucky. But still, it was a good effort. But the touches and the passes, they were all off today. And sometimes, that happens even to the best players in the best teams in the world,” he stated.

FEU concluded the first round of their championship bout with a 3-2-1 win-draw-loss record and fell to second place behind the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors. 

-Andrei M. Barrantes

(Photo by Karch Rafael/FEU Advocate)