Martini Rey could only dwell on regret after the final match of his collegiate career ended in heartbreak.
The sports science student and the rest of the FEU Tamaraws narrowly lost 1-0 to the UP Fighting Maroons in the final of the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Football Tournament last Thursday.
And the feeling of disappointment was palpable for everyone to see.
UP captain Macky Tobias converted a 50th-minute penalty that consigned FEU to defeat.
When the final whistle sounded, Rey and his teammates’ dreams of adding an 11th championship and fourth treble in the Tamaraws’ history were shattered.
On the other side, the Fighting Maroons and their supporters were ecstatic at winning their first title in six years.
“For me, it’s very frustrating kasi hirap sabihin, pero wala kami nagawa talaga. Para sa UP talaga,” said the attacking midfielder, who finished with six goals this season.
“Prepared sila enough sa game na ito, to the point na nagkaroon kami ng lapses. Wala kaming naging solution. Sa defending, naging maayos naman pero siguro para sa kanila talaga kasi nagkaroon din ng penalty.”
Rey played for the Tamaraws in Seasons 81, 85, and 86 in the UAAP, as Season 82 was abruptly canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He leaves FEU with one championship, as he was part of the squad that went all the way back in Season 85.
Leaving as a back-to-back champion was the goal for the former Barotac Nuevo National Comprehensive High School standout. Unfortunately, that did not happen, and he will have to bounce back elsewhere as reports online have surfaced that his next stop will be in the Philippines Football League.
(C) Mia Montayre/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“Siguro move on na lang talaga,” said Rey.
“Next chapter na lang sa pros. Gusto ko pa naman na mag-exit na champion pero ganun talaga. Hindi talaga naging para sa akin siguro.”
If there was one consolation for Rey, it was that his final game in a Tamaraws jersey happened in front of over a thousand people.
Fans of FEU and UP flocked to Rizal Memorial, hoping to see their favored school win the championship.
There was no fairytale ending for the 24-year-old midfielder. However, he took solace in the fact that he played under the bright lights of a historic stadium, which hosted an audience fitting for a big match.
“Para sa akin, maraming nagpunta so happy pa rin ako dahil marami pa rin nag-support na FEU students,” he said.
“Thankful pa rin ako doon.”
