Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

FEU

Jake Morallo embraces challenge of continuing FEU-Diliman’s streak


On paper, everything is going according to plan for Far Eastern University-Diliman in its quest for a 13th consecutive championship and a football treble in the UAAP Season 87 High School Boys’ Football Tournament.

After three matches, FEU-D sits atop the six-team standings with nine points, a plus-9 goal difference, and zero goals conceded.

It’s a case of “the more things change, the more they stay the same,” even with a new man at the helm — Jake Morallo.

A long-time assistant coach for FEU’s high school and collegiate programs, Morallo has finally taken over as the Baby Tamaraws’ head coach.

His promotion was long overdue, given his extensive experience coaching youth teams and his playing career with clubs like JPV Marikina and FC Loyola Meralco.

Despite the pressure of maintaining FEU-D’s dominance, the 36-year-old tactician remains composed.

His trust in his players was evident in their 2-0 win over Ateneo de Manila University last Wednesday, despite struggling to convert chances in the first half.

UAAP-S87-Jrs-Football-FEU-06081 Jake Morallo embraces challenge of continuing FEU-Diliman's streak FEU Football News UAAP  - philippine sports news

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

“It was our game plan. We tried to play direct and behind sa backline nila because if we do that we have the advantage kase mas eager, mas mabilis ‘yung attacking side namin. Nagpasok kami ng mga fast players but then di siya masyado na-utilize at di kami nakascore,” he said after the victory over the Blue Eagles.

“There were chances, di lang makascore, pero dalawang side ‘yung pinagplanuhan namin dun na ma-sustain din ‘yung play namin in the first half. Then yun, even though walang score doon na nangyari, still nagawan naman ng boys ‘yung play in the first half. And then in the second half, I think magandang adjustment at nagka-early goals in the first five minutes.”

While FEU-D is in a strong position, the 12-time defending champion knows there is still a long road ahead. Over the years, the Baby Tamaraws have faced tough finals matches against teams like the De La Salle Junior Archers and the NU-Nazareth School Bullpups. Maintaining a one-game-at-a-time mindset is crucial to sustaining their winning mentality.

#ReadMore  Dionesa Tolentin credits Let Dimzon for her success in emotional FEU farewell

For Morallo, the focus remains on what he and his players can control—improving day by day and game by game.

“We keep our way na paano kami maglaro, paano kami mag-attack and defend. And I think sa nakikita namin, sinabihan ko na sila before na may mga ups and downs ‘yung nakikita natin. We just have to prepare sa adjustments,” he said.

“Just like ngayon, sa mga nakita namin sa past games, marami kami talagang nakikita na mga problema. ‘Yun ‘yung ipo-polish pa namin sa training namin.”

Written By

Lorenzo's a frustrated author who knows a thing or two about Football and Basketball. Went all green from Ortigas to Taft. Supports Liverpool FC, FC Bayern Munich and the Alaska Aces


You May Also Like

ADMU

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) has implemented a change starting Season 87, introducing the Best Foreign Student-Athlete award across all UAAP...

DLSU

Jillian Santos has always been one to embrace challenges. From honing her skills from workouts with Ateneo great Alyssa Valdez to making her mark...

News

A champion team now led by a champion coach — National University faces immense pressure and sky-high expectations heading into the UAAP Season 87...

ADMU

National University begins its title defense in both the men’s and women’s divisions as the UAAP Season 87 collegiate volleyball tournament kicks off this...

Basketball

Slowly but surely, National University Nazareth School is learning from the costly mistake that derailed its UAAP Season 86 championship run. Despite the sheer...

Basketball

Since dropping their season opener to National University Nazareth School, University of Santo Tomas has been on a dominant run, closing the first round...

Basketball

University of the East was desperate for a spark. Reeling from a three-game skid filled with heartbreakers—including a double-overtime gut-punch against FEU-Diliman and a...

ADMU

Ateneo de Manila University’s 0-6 start in the UAAP Season 87 High School Boys’ Basketball Tournament marks the worst in school history. Struggling to...

Advertisement