Redemption proved to be a long and grueling journey, but for Far Eastern University-Diliman, the finish line came with a reward as sweet as it was fulfilling.
Forced to dig deep and summon a late spark against the very rival that ended their historic title streak a year ago, the Baby Tamaraws completed a dramatic climb back to the summit of the division.
Substitute Sambher Nash Abrenica and James Maxdel Torres delivered in the clutch, striking back-to-back late goals as FEU-D edged the University of Santo Tomas, 2-1, to reclaim the crown in the UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Football Tournament.
By securing their 13th championship on Friday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium, the Baby Tamaraws won the latest chapter of their finals trilogy against the Junior Golden Booters, reclaiming the gold they last held in Season 86.
For coach Jake Morallo, capturing his first-ever championship through a gritty come-from-behind victory made for a fittingly dramatic finish.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Very happy,” said Morallo. “As you all know, palaging nagtatanong sa amin, ‘Pressured ba kayo?’ There’s always pressure, but ‘di namin pinakita. We believed sa system.”
He went on, “We’re very happy sa pinakita ng boys, even though late kami naka-score, naka-equalize. But then, yung puso, the way they played right now — we’re very proud of them. Super happy kami, lalo na since naibalik ang korona sa FEU.“
FEU-D wasted early chances, as a potential opener was cleared off the line and a Jacob Keleghan attempt was straight at Junior Golden Booters goalkeeper Enrique Sunico. Their lack of finishing proved costly.
The Baby Tamaraws were made to pay in the 44th minute when Roy Panunciar Jr. clinically finished from close range to give UST a lead just before halftime.
FEU-D, however, pressed aggressively in search of an equalizer and eventually found reward late in the match.
Abrenica sparked the comeback in the 85th minute, curling home a strike from the edge of the box to set up a dramatic finish.
With time winding down, FEU-D earned a free kick on the right side of the UST box.
Enzo Panganiban delivered a well-placed ball into the area, which was headed home by defender Maxdel Torres in the 90+3 minute to complete the comeback.
“Hindi kami nag-stop sa training even though Holy Week ‘yun. We gave them some exercises. They all knew na kailangan naming mag-extra, even though na Holy Week ‘yun, para tuloy-tuloy yung kondisyon at siyempre yung objective namin ay nandun pa rin — bawiin ang korona,” said Morallo.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
This marked FEU’s second football championship of Season 88, after the Lady Tamaraws defeated the De La Salle Lady Booters on November 15 to claim their fourth straight title in the women’s division.
It also completed a second high school crown in just three weeks for FEU-D, as its under-19 basketball squad captured the boys’ title on March 30 with a dramatic 106-102 Game 3 win over National University Nazareth School.
Individual honors went to Torres and Leowell Fabela, who were named Most Valuable Player and Best Defender of the tournament, respectively.
UST standouts Argos Alingalan and John Mark Visitacion did not leave empty-handed. Alingalan captured the Golden Boot and Best Striker awards after scoring nine goals this season. Meanwhile, Visitacion was named Best Midfielder.
Rounding out the individual awardees were Tim Patawaran of Ateneo de Manila University, who was named Best Goalkeeper, and Adamson University’s Marc Zoe Hayahay, who took Rookie of the Year honors.
Claret School of Quezon City was also recognized with the Fair Play Award.
De La Salle Zobel joined FEU-D and UST on the podium as bronze medalists, while PAREF Southridge finished fourth.
