SHERWIN Basindanan struck at extra time as defending champion Far Eastern University rallied past Ateneo, 2-1, to reach the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Football Final at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, Thursday night.
Basidanan produced the 109th-minute goal that turned out to be the winning moment for the Tamaraws.
“Sherwin he’s such a fighter to the very end,” said coach Albert Besa, who has led FEU to the big dance in his first year. “His fitness is okay. He doesn’t slow down.
“Same also with the other boys, their winning mentality is all there, and Sherwin was able to rise above. He missed an easy goal in the first half. It was an open goal. It’s a good thing he made up for it,” he added.
FEU, which is eyeing its 11th title, will face the winner of the other semifinal between No. 2 University of the Philippines and No. 3 University of Santo Tomas which is being played as of posting time.
(C) Nicks Hernandez/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
Galen Fernandez opened the scoring for the Blue Eagles in the 28th minute courtesy of a Kofi Agyei assist.
The top-ranked Tamaraws were staring at elimination until Martini Rey scored deep in stoppage time off a Basindanan corner for the equalizer.
It was a rematch of last year’s Final as FEU ended Ateneo’s reign with a 4-1 victory.
Blue Eagles’ goalkeeper Artuz Cezar was brilliant until Rey saved the Tamaraws’ season.
(C) Nicks Hernandez/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“In the second half, we realized that our championship might be taken away from us. Our boys came back with heart as well. So this game was not a victory of skill, technique, or tactics — it was heart. This was a game of heart,” said Besa.
“Ateneo showed it, and FEU showed it as well. You have to give it to Ateneo. They came out and really showed heart and fighting spirit. It was tough to break them down. They worked hard for a goal. They countered our attacks and kept a solid defense. So, hats off to Ateneo, really, it was a good game.”
With the triumph in the men’s division, FEU’s golden treble bid remains alive.
The Baby Tamaraws earlier won the juniors title.
FEU is eyeing a record 12th championship against De La Salle in the women’s Final Friday at the same Malate pitch.
Luard Abaa, Gabriel Busuego, Jose Antonio Lopez, Wilmer Lopez, and Anthony Christian Uy are graduating from Ateneo.
FEU XI: Fabrigas (GK), Yu, Basindanan, Mamon, Absalon, Rey (C), Estores, Frigillano, Amita, Baylon, Mustapa.
Ateneo XI: Cezar (GK), Flores, Santilices, Dela Cruz, Agyei, Maquiling, Roxas, Lopez (C), Abaa, Fernandez, Escobin.
