Macky Tobias converted a 50th-minute penalty as University of the Philippines earned its first title in six years with a 1-0 win over Far Eastern University, Thursday night in the UAAP Season 86 men’s football championship at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The Fighting Maroons survived a barrage of Tamaraws’ attempts to force an equalizer in the last 25 minutes to prevail in the Final and secure their 19th title overall.
UP also foiled FEU’s bid for a second consecutive golden treble after the Tamaraws earlier triumphed in the high school boys’ and women’s tournaments.
Tobias, a former Juniors MVP while playing for FEU-Diliman, made his final UAAP appearance memorable.
After Francis Tacardon was fouled inside the box, Tobias calmly sank the spot kick – the lone goal of the Final – to put the Fighting Maroons ahead.
Goalkeeper Jerick Fabrigas was a busy man late in the second half to preserve UP’s lead.
Tacardon was named the season MVP and the Best Striker.
“It was a very intense match. You know, in the first half, it was a back-and-forth game. It was very unpredictable – ‘di mo alam sino lumalamang. But then come second half after the team talked, after we boys talked to each other, pushed each other, lumabas yung UP fighting spirit,” Tacardon said.
“Credit to FEU who gave us a really tough time most of the second half.”
(C) Mia Montayre/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
He along with Tobias, Emilio Bongolan, Joseph Huelva, Angelo Pagdanganan, Vincent Parpan, Frederick Tiambeng and Orlan Togores, wrapped up their UAAP careers as champions.
“As expected, we were up against the championship-caliber FEU team. It was a very good game, but I think we wanted it more. It showed on how we played – we were quite fortunate towards the end, FEU had an attempt but it hit the crossbar,” said first-year coach Popoy Clarino.
“I think it was our resiliency that brought us towards the end. We wanted to give back to the UP community, our families, and of course, to God. We won’t be here if we weren’t given this talent to showcase to other people,” he added.
Eugene Arriola, Sherwin Basindanan, Jermi Darapan, Viejay Frigilliano and Martini Rey have played their final game for the Tamaraws.
UST, the most successful program with 35 championships, completed the podium finishers. The Golden Booters lost to the Fighting Maroons in an epic penalty shootout in the Final Four.
Ateneo’s Kofi Agyei and UP’s Ramil Bation III were the co-Golden Boot awardees, while Tobias took home the Best Midfielder plum.
Frigilliano was the Best Defender while UST’s Jose Miguel Abada was the Best Goalkeeper.
FEU XI: Fabrigas (GK), Yu, Basindanan, Mamon, Absalon, Rey (C), Estores, Valenzuela, Frigilliano, Baylon, Mustapa
UP XI: Gonzales (GK), Bongolan, Lobitaña, Tobias (C), Togores, Pagdanganan, Tacardon Fr, Galsim, Tacardon Fl, Lampayan, Bation III
