Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw Booters took their fourth draw game of the season against University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Booters, 1-1, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 men’s football tournament held at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman in Quezon City earlier today, April 30.

The Morayta-based squad started the match trying to catch up with the momentum created by UST with their early goal of Golden Booter Kyletz Escobar during the 21st minute.

During the 45+3 minute mark, the Tamaraws successfully gained momentum on the offensive end that led to a successful goal by Chester Gio Pabualan to equalize the score. 

Both teams played rock-solid defense in the second half of the game, ending the match at deadlock, 1-1.

In a post-game interview with FEU Advocate, Team Captain Viejay Frigillano mentioned that they were eager to win the game to have an advantage in their final four contention. 

“Very important sana ‘yung panalo namin sa game [na ‘to] kasi last na kalaban din kami ng UST and in-expect na din namin na ibibigay nila ‘yung best nila and all out sila (It would be very important for us to win this game because UST was our last opponent and we expected them to give their best and go all out),” he stated.

FEU senior booter Gio Pabualan also added that the team struggled to find momentum as UST had early control of the game.

“Nahirapan din po kami mag-adjust kasi naunahan [nila] kami eh [kaya] pagbalik namin ng second half ay mas nag-all in kami (It was hard for us to adjust because [they] got ahead of us [so] when we came back in the second half, we went all in more),” Pabualan said.

The green-and-gold squad clinched a 5-4-2 win-draw-loss record and will try to add another win in their last match of the eliminations against the UP Fighting Maroons on May 4 at the same venue.

-Leiniel Santos

(Photo by Kayla Babista/FEU Advocate)