Nickos Mamon netted a brace as Far Eastern University forced De La Salle University to crumble, 4-0, in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Football Tournament on Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Mamon had even missed two good chances to score in the first half.
However, he redeemed himself by opening the floodgates in the 71st minute and securing his brace in the 82nd minute.
“He made up for those two misses,” said first-year Tamaraws head coach Albert Besa.
“The first goal is always the hardest, which he was able to convert and start the ball rolling,” he added.
In between the rookie forward’s goals, FEU midfielder Karl Absalon unleashed a fantastic volley that went past La Salle goalkeeper Enrico Mangaoang in the 80th minute.
Reigning Most Valuable Player Viejay Frigillano then completed the drubbing in the 88th minute.
“After scoring that first goal, the confidence level of the team goes up. From being cautious, to maybe like a 40%, it can go all the way up to a confidence level of 80 to 90-percent,” said Besa.
“Your touches are perfect. Your passes are precise. You go for high-risk passes and combinations, but they succeed. That’s the difference between going for them and playing cautious,” he opined.
The defending champion’s four-goal win over the Green Booters propelled it to the top of the standings with 25 points and a plus-16 goal difference.
FEU will finish the elimination round against University of the East this Thursday at 4 p.m. on the same pitch.
In contrast, La Salle can only lament its missed chances before Mamon set the tone for FEU.
The likes of Christian Peñalosa, Mohammad Almohjili and Paolo Go all had chances to give the lead to the Green Booters, but none found the back of the net.
The Green Booters’ wastefulness in front of goal was summed up when striker Isaac Anoh missed a penalty with La Salle already three goals down.
La Salle will need to defeat its archrival Ateneo de Manila University this Thursday at 6:30 PM at the same venue to make it into the Final Four.
A draw or a loss will bundle the Green Booters, who are in fifth place with 15 points, out of contention and will give the Blue Eagles, who have 17 points in fourth place, the remaining Final Four slot.
The XI:
DLSU XI: Mangaoang (GK), Cruel, Go, Henares, Anoh, Almohjili, Peñalosa, Lozano, Bengay, Abela, Labayen.
FEU XI: Fabrigas (GK), Yu, Basindanan, mamon, Absalon, Rey, Frigillano, Pescadera, Amita, Baylon, Mustapa.
