As per a report from ABS-CBN Sports on their website, Far Eastern University midfielder Arnel Amita has suffered the dreaded anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The said report mentioned that it had been Paolo Bugas, Amita’s teammate, who confirmed the big news. While Bugas was said to mention that Amita’s playing status is still unknown as of press time, chances are the latter will miss a huge chunk of Season 78.
Amita’s injury is a big blow to FEU’s UAAP Men’s Football Championship defense this Season 78, which is set to begin this Sunday. The Tamaraws are scheduled to face their rivals, the University of the Philippines-Diliman, in the first fixture of Season 78. With Amita gone, the Tamaraws’ coaching staff will have to adjust not only for the first game but maybe for the whole season.
Now in his fourth playing year, Amita’s box-to-box expertise in central midfield was integral in the Tamaraws’ championships in Seasons 76 and 77. Last Season 77, he contributed twelve goals in their championship run, including the strike that eliminated UP in the Final Four.
Aside from playing for FEU, Amita has also played for Manila Jeepney FC and Loyola Meralco Sparks FC in the United Football League (UFL). He had also been called up to the Under-23 Philippine National Men’s Football Team, which had competed in the 2015 South East Asian Games.
However there might still be a chance that Amita can play this Season 78. Bugas divulged that FEU will get a second opinion regarding Amita’s knee. It should also be recalled that Bugas himself experienced an ACL injury in the first round of Season 77 but eventually returned in the Final Four stage. No doubt Bugas, Amita, and the rest of the FEU community hope it will be a case of déjà vu this time around.
