How sweet must it feel for the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, who emerged 2-1 winners over the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons largely due to Rico Andes’ heroics.
The sophomore stood out by scoring all of FEU’s goals to oust last year’s winners and redeem his team a slot in the Season 79 UAAP men’s football final.
This time last year, the Tamaraws were already out of contention as they struggled in Season 78. They finished fifth, missing out on the Final Four in which their opponents today had emerged on top. Now, they gloriously bounced back as they eliminated one of their fiercest rivals en route to the last dance. The latest installment in the storied rivalry, however, wasn’t a straightforward success for the Tamaraws.
Initially, it was the Maroons who settled into the game faster. Anto Gonzales’ wards were dictating the pace of the game, while Vince Santos’ charges looked content to let their foes to do so with the aim of catching their defense off guard in counter attacks. The former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagle-turned-FEU coach described it as a cautious approach, with UP’s desire for possession giving them a slight advantage.
Within the first 10 minutes, UP’s top sophomores JB Borlongan and Kintaro Miyagi had already threatened the FEU defense, although they were not truly bothered by the first UP attacking barrage.
Then in the 18th minute, UP produced the game’s first shot on goal. With plenty of choices to send the cross to, winger Kyle Magdato opted to pick out Miyagi, who was in a good position to strike. Last year’s finals hero misfired, but the ball ricocheted towards Borlongan, who did well to hit the loose ball. To the rescue came Audie Menzi, who found himself in the line of fire to send the ball out for a corner.
The following set piece was just as good an opportunity, as Ian Clarino met the delivery from the corner. The center back could not get a clean touch, however, and the ball went out for a goal kick.
Just when the Maroons were building momentum, the team in gold and green suddenly pounced on their high line. Against the run of play, FEU surged forward to win a corner in the 22nd minute. The Tamaraws made the most of the rare opportunity, as a scramble in the box led to a smart Andes header, which looped above every UP player before hitting the back of the net.
The Tamaraws’ advantage did not last long, a calamitous error by goalkeeper RJ Joyel allowed Kintaro Miyagi to tap the ball in from around three yards out almost exactly a minute later. JB Borlongan started the move, as the midfielder maneuvered past the FEU defense before forcing the Tamaraw keeper into action. Joyel initially got his hands on the ball but unfortunately spilled it in front of Miyagi, who made him pay and to nab the equalizer for the Fighting Maroons.
Two quick goals split between the teams were perhaps what the game needed. It added confidence to both teams’ attacks, both of which are potent enough to make it a shootout throughout 90 minutes. The Tamaraws looked a better team after the exchange of goals as they began to play in a style many are familiar with. Andes was becoming a nuisance to the UP defense, and perhaps could have done better when he sent his header wide with six minutes still left in the first half.
Meanwhile, UP continued to find ways to test the FEU defense. Nevertheless, they seemed to be content to shoot from distance rather than attempt to break down their opponents. Daniel Gadia and Roland Saavedra came up with the efforts approaching halftime, both of which were from at least 20 yards and dealt with comfortably by Joyel.
Come the second half, FEU looked more aggressive on the attack. They had more players surging forward than in the first half. Paolo Bugas, a two-time champion with FEU, lurked on the edge of the UP box before taking a shot on target three minutes into the second half. While Ace Villanueva smothered the attempt, it served as a sign of a momentum shift in the game.
The Maroons still had their fair share of the ball, but in terms of quality, the Tamaraws were looking to be the more likely team to take the lead. Their increasing confidence was underlined when the next best chance to get the breakthrough came through Val Jurao. The FEU captain had enough room to consider shooting from around 25 yards, but didn’t have the sharpest of hits, as the ball went off target.
The miss didn’t bother the Tamaraws, however, as they reaped their rewards just a minute later. Mark Arranguez started the play on the right wing, finding Nicolas Ferrer, who then cleverly teed up Andes. For the second time in the game, the sophomore Tamaraw netted; the forward smashed the ball past Villanueva after winning the footrace for the ball.
Unlike in his first goal, there was no immediate response from the defending champions, although there were still 30 minutes left to find an equalizer.
Usual suspects Gadia, Borlongan, and Miyagi spearheaded the attack. Amidst the search, Gonzales gradually rotated his squad in hopes that someone would emerge to change the game’s complexion to their liking. Substitute Rvin Resuma nearly vindicated that decision, as his 71st minute strike was just deflected out for a corner.
UP tried their best to force extra time at the very least, and were given the license to do so by FEU, who looked content to preserve their lead rather than take the risk of pursuing a third goal.
There were plenty of chances for UP to extend their season, and when Gadia nicely set up Christian Lapas, another substitute, in second half added time, it looked like they would level the score for the second time. Yet it was not meant to be after Lapas was denied from close range, the closest UP managed to produce. Not long after, referee Oliver Moreno blew the final whistle prompting celebrations of the FEU community.
Speaking after the match, Santos heaped praise on his players after they had endured a challenging affair against one of the favorites to win the crown this season.
“UP are a very well-drilled side, very organized so to break them down you have to do something special. They like to possess the ball so we had to disrupt their possession and I think we succeeded,” he said, adding that they had aimed to penetrate from the back and go for second balls to neutralize UP’s reputable midfield strength.
As for looks on goal, the newly-minted mentor cited the value of quality finishing in today’s game. “There were a few shots but important is we are able to confer unlike in the previous games leading up to this,” Santos elaborated.
There will be a new champion on Sunday, who will emerge from a contest between two powerhouses in UAAP football. The last champions aside from UP, FEU and the Ateneo de Manila University will meet at 3PM at the Rizal Memorial Stadium to decide who takes home the bacon in the 79th season of UAAP men’s football.
