Defending champion Far Eastern University rose to the top of the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Football Tournament standings by breaking down University of the East, 2-0, on Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Tamaraws captain Martini Rey opened the floodgates in the 41st minute with a shot from outside the box.
Meanwhile, substitute McJay Neniel sealed the victory with a cool finish past Red Warriors goalkeeper Joniel Pamati-an.
With its third consecutive win after a season-opening loss to De La Salle, FEU now leads the pack with nine points and a plus-4 goal difference.
Coach Albert Besa felt satisfied to see the Tamaraws start to get their groove for this campaign.
“People say that the first game’s always the hardest because of the first game jitters and stuff like that but with the talent of this team really, it wasn’t hard to motivate them and get them in the proper mindset of pushing the winning mentality,” said Besa.
“We were able to tighten up trainings that gave them the confidence to keep the ball rather to always just clear the ball,” he added.
FEU will go for its fourth straight win when it takes on Adamson University this Thursday at 7:00 PM on the same pitch.
On the other hand, the Red Warriors remained in sixth place with three points and a minus-10 goal difference.
UE will try to upset University of the Philippines this Thursday at 4:30 PM at the same venue.
FEU XI: Diansuy (GK), Yu, Basindanan, Mamon, Rey (C), Valenzuela, Frigillano, Bacon, Belgira, Buenafe, Mustapa.
UE XI: Pamati-an (GK), Magallon, Telin, Palacio (C), Mariveles, Hermoso, Macaraig, Madrid, Abarca, Maghinay, Modin.
