Rookie Jerby Anito stepped up for defending champion Far Eastern University in a 2-0 victory over the University of the East in the ongoing UAAP Season 88 Men’s Football Tournament on Thursday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium in Quezon City.
The homegrown midfielder broke the deadlock in the 48th minute, slotting in his second goal of the season after Czam Acuesta’s initial attempt failed to reach the back of the net.
Anito continued his stellar performance just seven minutes later, setting up the Tamaraws’ second goal with a perfect ball inside the box that Theo Libarnes headed past UE keeper Chrisjohn Tambilawan.
With the win, FEU forced a triple tie on top of the table with the University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University. All three teams hold seven points and a goal difference of +3.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Fighting Maroons were scheduled to play later in the evening.
“I think we dominated and controlled the game today,” said FEU head coach Jake Murallo. “From the first half medyo nahirapan kami, pero sa second half nakuha namin ‘yung play namin at nakapag-adjust naman kami.
“Ang daming player na wala — our two red cards — and some players like Mon Diansuy nagkasakit, so very proud ako kay Jet Fabrigas sa unang clean sheet niya.”
Both teams struggled to break the deadlock in the first half, with neither side managing to convert chances into a goal.
FEU had a promising sequence in the 21st minute, but the attack fizzled out before UE could clear the ball.
The Tamaraws, however, found their rhythm in the second half, converting their relentless pressure into two decisive goals to seal the win.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
On the other hand, UE had its share of opportunities through Bernard Magallon and Francis Maturan. However, FEU goalkeeper Jet Fabrigas stood tall — most notably stopping Maturan’s rocket attempt in the 63rd minute.
The Red Warriors remained winless, sitting in seventh place with zero points and a -6 goal difference.
FEU will next face Ateneo on Thursday at 6:30 PM at the same venue. Meanwhile, UE will wrap up its first-round campaign against the University of Santo Tomas (5 pts, 0 GD) on Sunday at 6:30 PM.
