As the saying goes – the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Despite the onset of a global pandemic and its lingering effects, Far Eastern University-Diliman remains the king of the UAAP high school football division.
The Baby Tamaraws annexed another crown — their 11th consecutive title — by beating De La Salle Zobel, 2-1, in a dramatic final last Thursday to win the UAAP Season 85 High School Boys’ Football Championship at the UP Diliman Football Field.
“Masaya ako dahil nakamit namin yung championship, and then para ito kay kuya Kieth (Absalon), and para din sa mga seniors na nagpakahirap kunin ang championship,” said midfielder Edgar Aban Jr, who was proclaimed as the division’s Most Valuable Player.
“Grabe yung pressure. Sobrang grabe yung pressure. Di makatulog kasi sobrang pressure and then yun nga, may title, 10-peat,” said Best Defender awardee Bryan Villanueva.
Coach Vince Santos’ wards rose from the dead just when it looked like it was gonna be the Junior Archers’ day thanks to Umi Abelarde’s early strike. However, two late goals from Ronmer Paciente in regulation and extra time sealed the championship for the Baby Tamaraws.
True champions always rise to the occasion and the Baby Tamaraws dug deep to break the hearts of the Junior Archers and their supporters at the venue.
“Para samin napaka importante po na protektahan ang 10 peat na nasimulan ng mga seniors namin at alumni. Malaking kahihiyan po na umuwi sa Diliman na talo,” said Best Goalkeeper winner Borg Conopio.
“Palaging sinasabi ng coaches namin na bawal talaga matalo tapos nung game namin sa finals nandon yung pressure kasi yung mga alumni namin ay nanunuod sa game namin at, higit sa lahat, grabe yung crowd at halos lahat kami rookies.”
For Aban and Villanueva, the pressure will be on them to lead the Baby Tamaraws to a 12th consecutive championship next season.
The likes of La Salle, Ateneo de Manila University, and University of Santo Tomas will learn from this season and be eager to put an end to FEU’s streak next year.
Then again, this responsibility to win the title is something the Baby Tamaraws are used to having.
“Masaya dahil ito yung pangarap ko talaga,” said Aban.
“Para hindi maputol ang pinaghirapan namin at para din kay kuya Kieth.”
“Kung pagod ka na, magpahinga ka. Wag ka susuko. Marami lang mga chance. Marami pang mga bagay na pwede mong pagdaanan kaya keep humble. Always pray and enjoy,” added Villanueva.
As for Conopio, he will now await offers from collegiate teams who are looking for a new goalkeeper. He is hopeful that he will earn promotion to the senior Tamaraws program but nothing is set in stone at the moment.
Nevertheless, whatever the future may hold for him and his career, he is hopeful that the teammates he is leaving behind will maintain the streak that they have worked so hard to protect this year.
“Sana po maipag patuloy pa nila yung 12-peat kasi yung pinagdaanan po namin para maprotektahan yung 10 peat grabi din po ang sakrepesyo namin,” explained Conopio.
“Mag te-training kami ng wala pang sikat ng araw. Sumasayaw na kami sa bola every 4:00 AM po at training uli sa afternoon po. Tirek po yung araw at matatapos ng wala nanamang sikat ng araw. Dugo’t pawis po inalay namin para makuha ang 11 peat.”
