Far Eastern University completed its mastery over De La Salle University in the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Football Tournament last Thursday by prevailing 2-0 to seal a ticket to the final.
The Tamaraws previously defeated the Green Booters 2-1 and 3-0 last February 26 and April 23 respectively in the eliminations and their latest win came because of goals from Gio Pabualan and Sherwin Basindanan.
“First of all, hindi kami nakampante sa 1-0 kasi mabilis lang mahabol yung 1-0 eh. Yung struggle lang namin sa second half ay nahirapan kami sa communication kasi, di naman sa ano, dahil sa drums. We can’t hear each other kasi too loud. Pero still, nag-co-communicate kami through vision,” said Pabualan.
“Yung sa second half, we had fresh legs naman. We have speedy rookies so yun ginamit namin yun… We know our subs can really do it.”
While Pabualan broke the deadlock in the 27th minute, it was Basindanan who sealed the deal in the 86th minute. It was the second time this season Basindanan came off the bench to score against the Green Booters as he did the same thing during the Tamaraws’ second round win.
“Simula ng pagpasok ko ay, kahit off the bench, 100 percent pa rin yung focus tapos tiwala lang sa mga starting na hindi sila sumusuko sa game namin ngayon,” said the former De La Salle Zobel standout.
“Masaya tapos medyo ano rin kasi. Nanggaling din ako doon sa La Salle sa high school. Medyo ano rin po pero masaya po.”
Pabualan, Basindana, and the rest of the Tamaraws’ reward for their exploits so far this campaign is a date against the Ateneo Blue Eagles this Thursday to win the gold. It will be a different scenario for FEU this time around as they will look to get back at Ateneo, which won 1-0 when both sides clashed last March 16 and April 13.
FEU’s last appearance in the final back in Season 79 also saw it lose 1-0 to Ateneo thanks to a Jarvey Gayoso goal. Nevertheless, the Tamaraws feel that destiny remains in their hands.
“For now after six years, we’re back in the finals. Sobrang thankful lang kasi dumating kami sa punto na to,” said Pabualan.
“We have one week of preparation naman eh… Focus lang din kami kasi kahit ano mangyari, semis is done. We’re in the finals. Win or nothing na,” said Basindanan.
“Kahit off the bench ako papasok, bigay pa rin ang 100 percent.”
