Just as there will always be a champion in every league, there will also be a team that will finish at the bottom of the table. It was this unwanted distinction that the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons and the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors both attempted to avoid when they squared off for the second time in Season 78.
In what was the last game of the UAAP men’s football tournament preliminary round, the two basement teams were inseparable throughout the goalless 90 minutes played at the Moro Lorenzo Football Field.
The Falcons were perhaps the happier of the two, as they had improved one place than their eighth-placed finish a season ago. Adamson finished the Season 78 stint with five points — three coming from a memorable win against UE in the first round, together with two draws and 11 defeats.
With their ascent comes the Warriors’ decline, as the Recto team exchanged places with their San Marcelino counterparts. A win for UE would have allowed them to leapfrog Adamson by going level on points but placing higher due to superior goal difference.
Yet, it was not the case. Having gathered only two points through the entire season, UE became this season’s last-placed side. It comes as a bitter pill to swallow for the Red Warriors, who had nearly made into the Final Four just two seasons ago.
The result may indicate that the quality of football between the two teams has been dipping since Adamson relaunched their football program last year. Jusuel Pilarca, one of Adamson’s scorers in this campaign, showed how much they have improved, as he threatened to score a goal inside the first five minutes. He had two chances for himself, both missed, while also producing a fine pass for James Ramos to scuff early on.
Having initiated the attacks in a game, the Falcons found themselves defending moments later. Regil Galaura spearheaded the UE frontline, trying to break down the Adamson defense with his crafty movement in and around the box. In the 21st minute mark, he tried to set up a teammate in the six-yard box, but Adamson goalkeeper Carl Viray was there to prevent his cross fron causing harm.
Galaura was at it again five minutes later, this time taking matters on his own. His effort was on target, but Viray managed to stop it on its tracks. Galaura’s teammate, Khyndale Manzo, tried to supplement his efforts but the forward didn’t place enough power to fire his team ahead.
Another Red Warrior, Mark Lerion, had the opportunity to break the deadlock soon after. Lerion’s shot had the power Manzo’s shot needed, but it lacked the accuracy to change the score in favor of UE. The rookie midfielder was invited to shoot again in the 34th minute, doing a lot better in his retry after forcing a good save from Viray. After a series of forays came to nothing from both teams, the halftime whistle sounded.
Come the second half, UE aggressively hunted for a vital goal. Jo Mallen ignited a promising move eight minutes into the latter period by teeing up a neat through ball towards Jasper Absalon. From the wing, the first year player ventured deeper into the Adamson box. Having the chance to shoot, Absalon opted to trick the Falcons by giving the ball to an unprepared Manzo, who eventually killed possession by dribbling the ball out for a goal kick.
Mallen was in the thick of things again moments later. The third year playmaker found himself available to shoot from 20 yards twice in quick succession. His shots had Viray at full stretch, but neither struck the onion bag, keeping the game scoreless.
The Adamson goalkeeper was a busy individual in this encounter, as his services were required two more times before full time. First was a decent shot coming from the boot of Alberto Echin Jr. It was succeeded by Mallen’s hit to cap off a nice link up play between him and Galaura. Viray positioned himself nicely to make sure that Mallen placed it where he wanted it to be.
Towards the end, UE may have had their bad luck reflected in their set pieces. At the 75th minute, Mallen’s free kick was haphazardly dealt with by Adamson. The ball landed on the path of Galaura who didn’t get a touch to tuck the ball past the bamboozled Viray. Ten minutes after, Louie Polinag’s dead ball delivery rattled the crossbar before the Adamson defense cleared it away. It was the closest the Red Warriors came to winning the game, as things soon ended 0-0.
“Siguro nag-improve at the same time nag-mature sila. [At the] same time, siguro natuto na din sila sa mga kamalian nila,” affirmed Adamson Coach Nolan Manito, who thinks that progress shouldn’t simply stop here for the young Soaring Falcons. Manito believes the accomplishment of placing seventh this season is the result of the team’s hard work, dedication, and willingness to sacrifice in order to exceed expectations.
As for UE Coach Ryan Marinay, disappointment was etched on his face after full time, as he said, “Ganyan talaga sa football. Hindi laging swerte,” he uttered. His frustration was evident, as they had gotten only one point out of the possible six despite controlling the game against Adamson twice this season.
It will be back to the drawing board for both teams as they head into the break. The objectives are surely different between UE and Adamson, but they are united in the aim of avoiding a last-placed finish come Season 79.
