The Adamson University Drummers and Yellers Online (AUDYO) made immense noise off the pitch. Inside it however, it was all green-and-gold. Three goals in each half from five players bannered by Eric Giganto who scored two led FEU to a 6-0 thumping of Adamson at the Moro Lorenzo Football Field on Saturday night.
Just inside five minutes, Jhan Jhan Melliza started what was an eventual one-sided goalfest with a clinical finish inside the box. The Tamaraws had plenty of shots in between their first and second goals, the latter of which came just 10 minutes after. Val Jurao drilled in a shot from around 20 yards to double FEU’s lead.
The Tamaraws dominated most of the game and could have slotted in more goals if not for Adamson’s concerted effort on defense. FEU’s third goal in the match came seven minutes before halftime. Nicolas Ferrer Jr. was left unmarked inside the box, prompting him to coolly pick a spot in Carl Viray’s goal. Three-nil to FEU was the scoreline at the interval.
In the second half, FEU sustained their rhythm on offense. Whenever Adamson had a chance to surge forward, the Tamaraw back line always found a way to thwart the nervy Falcons. On the other side, the FEU players took time to find their fourth goal and possibly more as time came running out.
The long wait for the fourth goal arrived when Giganto punched his ninth goal of the season at the 73rd minute of the game. It did not take long for the fifth goal to happen when Giganto scored anew with only 10 minutes remaining. The goal bonanza was ended at the 86th minute by Michael Menzi whose strike was off the cross of brother Audie to cap off a massive night for FEU.
Responding resoundingly after a frustrating 1-1 draw, FEU captain Giganto and his teammates will recalibrate their focus heading into tougher matches, particularly against UP on Thursday. The skipper said, “Iyong focus talaga namin manalo.” He was not really satisfied with the way they converted as they could have had more than six in the game.
On that note, coach Nolan Manito of Adamson lauded his players after limiting FEU to six, a noticeable improvement from their 9-1 first round defeat against the same opponents. “Alam naming matatalo kami sa game. Pero ‘yung ma-hold namin ‘yung kalaban… ‘yung FEU na hindi maka-score ng marami,” he elaborated.
The FEU Tamaraws keep pace of the Top Four whilst registering space from fifth place NU. Adamson remains without a point after playing nine games in their debut season.
