By: Nicole Parallag
ROQUE Empleo Jr’s late strike earned Adamson University a 1-1 draw against University of the East in a battle of two also-ran squads in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Football Tournament on Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Empleo, a fourth-year Marketing Management student, unleashed a free kick from way outside the UE box that went past Red Warriors goalkeeper Joniel James Pamati-an to score Adamson’s equalizer in the 88th minute.
The goal snapped the Soaring Falcons’ four-game losing streak and pushed them to go for all three points late in the game, but attempts from Jhon Devon Coquilla and Nikko Arañas failed to hit the back of the net.
“Pag hindi pa ako mag-risk na i-direcho po sa goal, baka pagsisihan ko pa po,” said Empleo, who hails from Barotac Nuevo. “Instinct nalang po siguro. Nagtitiwala ako sa skills ko na kakayanin kong derechohin kaya naka-score din po.”
Adamson, which played today without its head coach Darlton Digha due to his external commitments, improved its points tally to three in seventh place and retained a goal difference of minus-13.
The Soaring Falcons will try to upset defending champions FEU Tamaraws this Thursday at 4 p.m. at the same venue.
On the other hand, the Red Warriors looked set to take all three points just like in their 2-0 win over the Soaring Falcons last February 25 in the first round after they took the lead in the second half.
Edmar Adonis turned in Nikko Palacio’s free kick in the 67th minute, but UE failed to hold on this time around.
Despite the outcome, coach Frank Muescan was happy with the way the Red Warriors, who remained in sixth place with four points with a minus-18 goal difference, played on the pitch amid their exclusion as well from this year’s Final Four race.
“It happens in the game eh. Everything is unpredictable,” said Muescan. “At the end of the day, the boys played well. This was the best I’ve seen the boys. Nag-improve talaga sila from the past games. It’s a good sign for us kahit hindi na kami papasok diyan sa top four.”
UE will face University of the Philippines this Sunday at 4 p.m. at the same venue.
UE XI: Pamati-an, Magallon, Palacio (C), Gatilao, Hermoso, Macaraig, Madrid, Abarca, Maghinay, Adonis, Modin.
AdU XI: Dudley-Scales, Buenaobra (C), Jose, Arañas, Empleo, Villanueva, Gardon, Francisco, Casing, Banagodos, Mahinay.
