By Aimerose C. Atienza

Far Eastern University (FEU) Booter Chester Gio Pabualan devoted his two goals to injured striker Jermi Darapan and late Tamaraw Keith Absalon in their win against the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons, 6-1, 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 earlier today, March 9. 

“Dedication [ko] din po sa game [is] for Kieth who passed, and for Jermi na [may] injury (My dedication for the game is for Keith who passed, and for Jermi who has an injury),” he said in an online interview with FEU Advocate.

Pabualan took a goal early in the match during the 17-minute mark and scored a brace in the 87th minute to take momentum for the whole duration of the game.

FEU’s first goal was made in the 9th-minute courtesy of a shot by striker Khent Brian Valenzuela.

Entering the second half, Martini Rey made a go-ahead kick at the 51-minute mark in a dominating offense against the Falcons.

AdU’s Carl Mahinay took a counter to tally a point for the San Marcelino squad in the 56th minute, but an opportunity was open for FEU’s Karl Absalon to get another goal just a minute after to retain their three-point lead, 4-1.

FEU Team Captain Viejay Frigillano, who will sit out in their next match against Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) after obtaining two yellow cards, sealed victory for the Morayta-based squad in an overtime goal during the 90+4-minute mark. 

During the post-game interview with FEU Advocate, Frigillano still believes in the capabilities of the team to win their final first-round game despite his absence.

“Regardless, ‘yung pinaka-foundation ng team namin is ‘sama sama’ so kahit wala ako sa team, may tiwala ako sa mga boys na kaya nilang ipanalo ‘yung (Regardless, the core foundation of the team is ‘all together’ so even if I am not in the team, I have trust on the boys that they can win the) game against Ateneo together,” the team captain stated.

The Vincent Santos-led squad now sports a 3-2-0 win-draw-loss card and will next face the AdMU Blue Eagles next Thursday, March 16 at the same venue.

(Photo by Karch Rafael/FEU Advocate)