Coming from a loss that ruined their start to the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Football Tournament, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles knew the onus was on them to find a win against the ominous Far Eastern University Tamaraws.
While the three points did not arrive for Ateneo, the Blue and White showed enough heart to force a 1-1 draw against FEU, Sunday morning at the FEU-DIliman field in Quezon City.
“It’s good that we go home with a point but of course our objective for today was to get the three points. But hindi kami nagperform nung first half kaya ito lang siguro yung binigay sa amin. We need to accept (the result) and move on,” stated Ateneo mentor Jay Pee Merida.
FEU was dominant in the opening period and the Tamaraws drew first blood right before the referee blew the halftime whistle. Rookie forward Gio Pabualan released a cross from the left flank which was headed into the net by Poi Saldivar at the 44th minute.
Upon the game’s resumption, though, Ateneo slowly got back in the contest. FEU goalie Dave Parac had to perform a fantastic stop to deny the Katipunan school’s center-back Jeremiah Rocha a leveler for the Blue Eagles.
The Tamaraws pushed on for the insurance goal and they almost clinched it twice because of Pabualan’s endeavours. The former Baby Tamaraw saw his attempts frustratingly denied by Blue Eaglie goalie Jae Arcilla who did all he can to keep Ateneo in the contest.
Merida’s men then found an equalizer five minutes from time thanks to skipper Julian Roxas who converted from close range. The Blue Eagles could have snatched all three points right at the death when star forward Jarvey Gayoso stepped up to take the free kick, but his attempt went harmlessly over the FEU bar.
“The last game, against UE, they tried to fight but here Ateneo, they just played a little bit low and defensively,” said FEU coach Park Bo Bae. “Even if (Ateneo) stayed low, we had a lot of chances but we missed (them). That’s why it’s a draw today.”
FEU shall next face University of Santo Tomas at the former’s field on February 28, 2019, 9:00 AM. On the other hand, Ateneo faces University of the Philippines on March 3, 2019, 9:00 AM with the venue yet to be announced.
FEU XI: Bacara, Canonigo, Darapan, Forrosuelo, Frigillano, Kim, Pabualan, Parac (GK), Rey, Saldivar (C), Salilig.
ADMU XI: Arcilla (GK), Liao, Grierson, Rocha, Roque, Mercado, Herrera, Nacional, Roxas (C), Setters, Gayoso.
