Nickos Mamon admitted that he is still getting used to representing Far Eastern University in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Football Tournament.
Mamon, 19, has made a fast start to life as a Tamaraw in the seniors division by scoring two goals already in as much matches.
His latest strike came against the UP Fighting Maroons last Sunday, which helped the defending champion prevail 4-2 for its first win this season.
“Sobrang nag-adjust po ako sa laruan ng men’s galing sa juniors kasi yung level ng players sa men’s ay mataas na po kaysa sa juniors division,” said the 5-foot-11 forward out of Iloilo.
“Every game, iniisip ko na yun na lang ang maitutulong ko sa team. Kasi yun na po yung role ng striker ay mag score ng goals para mapanalo yung team,” he continued.
“Masaya po ako, especially unang-una kay God na binigyan Niya po ako ng chance at blessing po ito oara makapaglaro sa men’s team namin.”
It has been an up-and-down ride so far for FEU in its title defense.
The Tamaraws folded 3-1 to the DLSU Green Booters in their first game this season. During that match, La Salle visibly outplayed FEU and deserved full points.
That result eventually served as a wake-up call for Mamon and his teammates since every match matters in the UAAP.
The Tamaraws were more like themselves against the Fighting Maroons last Sunday and the Sports Science student’s 58th-minute goal went a long way in restoring FEU’s control of the match.
“Yung first game namin parang naging lesson sa amin yun as a team kasi last year champion kami sa men’s and parang nag relax ang lahat kaya marami kaming natutunan sa laro na yun kaya nakapag-adjust kami sa next game namin against UP,” he said.
“Additional goal na rin para di makahabol UP sa laro.”
The standout from Iloilo City is very grateful that he gets to represent the Tamaraws this year after winning the boys’ high school championship back in Season 85 with the FEU-D Baby Tamaraws. For him, it is about making the most out of his chances — figuratively and literally on the pitch.
FEU will be on a long break as its next match, against Ateneo de Manila University, will be played on March 7.
With so much time in between, Mamon stated that it is back to the drawing board for him and the rest of the Tamaraws.
“Mag recovery muna ako tapos balik ulit training tapos extra training hangga’t dumating na yung araw ng game namin against Ateneo and paghahandaan namin sila,” he said.
