The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons were held to a draw by the Far Eastern University Tamaraws in the first game of the UAAP Season 78 Football Tournament. UP had a shaky start in the first half, but they recovered after the break to make it a more balanced game in the second half.
Daniel Gadia, the Fighting Maroons captain, led from the front as the striker in the first half. Midway through the second half Gadia was positioned in his more familiar role as a central midfielder. The Fighting Maroons were able to keep the ball more, for which Gadia’s hustle in midfield was crucial.
Gadia felt that the Fighting Maroons had fought hard but that they hadn’t had the best start to Season 78. “Kailangan lang namin pag-usapan ang mga problema ng game pero tingin ko nung second half naglaro talaga kami ng husto kasi yung first half most of the time possession and attacks ng FEU. Lucky kami nung first half kasi hindi sila naka score.”
“May chances kami and then nahawakan namin nang mabuti ang bola. Kailangan lang namin i-assess ang mga sarili namin then we assess our team na rin kung ano yung mali, kung ano yung naging lapses.”
Nonetheless, Gadia believed that there were positives to be taken from this game. “Siguro positive yung nakuha namin yung objectives namin. First is yung ma-contain yung midfield nila nung second half. Siguro yung mga adjustment coming off the bench ng mga rookies. Nag step-up talaga sila sa pag-sub.”
Tragedy struck the Fighting Maroons before the season started when one of their own, Rogie Maglinas, passed away due to cancer. Gadia narrated that he and his teammates were had not only been inspired by Maglinas but also helped him throughout his ordeal. “Hindi naman pwede puro inspired lang eh so maraming times na puyat talaga yung team kasi nung nag-babattle pa lang siya, naghihingal sa ospital, nandun na talaga yung team. Then nung nag pass-away siya, inasikano pa namin yung mga ano niya so hanggang huli hindi namin siya iniwan.”
The Fighting Maroons were emotional throughout the game and Gadia admitted that they may have lost their composure somewhat due to the said tragedy. “Siguro isa din dahil gusto talaga manalo ng team. Isa din hindi napigilan yung emotion nila kasi gusto talaga namin manalo for Rogie. Maraming extra motion and unnecessary fouls yung binigay ng mga teammates ko pero nakapag-adjust naman nung na-kontrol yung emotion nila.”
The passing of Maglinas contributed to a heavy feeling in the Fighting Maroons camp. UP had late nights helping Rogie, which may have contributed to their lackluster start. However, they had no regrets over helping their teammate. Gadia added, “Pero at the end of the game naman, we finished strong. Yun ang importante na napulot namin ngayon.”
JB Borlongan was one of the blue-chip rookies on show for the Fighting Maroons in that game. Gadia reserved high praise for his rookie teammate. “Para sa akin he can be the next, in the future, Chieffy Caligdong. Galing talaga kasi yung bata eh.” He expounded his belief that the Fighting Maroons have a bright future in the upcoming UAAP seasons. “Kung nakita niyo eh six or seven rookies kanina ang nagtapos ng game eh. For the next future seasons namin siguro we’re good pa rin kasi sa lineup talaga eight yung rookies namin and lahat sila nagagamit.”
Handed the captain’s armband for Season 78, Gadia knew that he had to lead by example towards his teammates especially the rookies. He also added a positive mindset is needed for his captaincy. “Tinitignan ko muna kung ano yung mabibigay ko sa team tsaka ko ina-assess yung mga teammates ko. In a positive way lagi. Pag nag-approach sa kanila in a positive way, kahit tough yung game, dikit, kahit nagkakamali, kailangan positive lagi yung approach mo sa kanila. Lalo na mga freshie yung mga kasabay ko sa taas.”
A single mindset is needed by a team if it wants to implement the tactics given by its coach. Pressing is one of those tactics which needs to be implemented as a unit. Gadia said that UP’s pressing wasn’t that good in the first half compared to the second half. He thinks that a single mindset is needed by the team for everything to click. “Yan yung hinihintay ko sa amin na pag umatake at dumipensa kami, one minded lang.”
The decision to hose that UAAP Football matches in the McKinley Hill Stadium was seen as controversial to many. People cited the place of the venue and the pitch as the main complaints. Nevertheless, Gadia doesn’t take issue with the pitch. He explained that he and his teammates felt lucky because he thought it’s a better pitch than where they train at. It was just all about adjusting for him “Maliit nga yung pitch pero yun nga, kailangan rin I-ano ng mga players eh… kaya maraming contact. Maliit yung pitch kaya madaming cards at fouls. Mabilis makarecover ang mga defender pag mali ka ng touch, tackle kaagad from behind.”
In the end, it doesn’t matter for Gadia where he and the rest of the Fighting Maroons shall play. “Siguro yung point ko is hindi naman natin pwede anohin yung pitch diba? Kung sa FEU matigas naman diba? Malaki pero hard ground naman sila so it’s both ways naman kung saan laruin. Kung FEU, ADMU, Rizal, ok naman kami. Wala naman kaming ano pag maliit o malaki yung pitch.”
