It might not have been a win, but the Far Eastern University Tamaraws knew that this might be the game that would help them improve from their lackluster start.
The Tamaraws salvaged a 1-1 draw against a very dangerous University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, Sunday afternoon at the historic Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
“Actually last three games we drew and lost so today again we focused on defense. Even if we allowed the goal, but after the goal we make safety. Next time we can do next steps. Next game we focus also,” commented FEU coach Bo Bae Park after his side’s second straight draw in the UAAP Season 80 Men’s Football Tournament.
JB Borlongan maintained his great scoring run this season as early as five minutes into the game. The winger made good use of Fidel Tacardon’s pass to give the Fighting Maroons an early lead over the Tamaraws.
FEU took a while to settle into the contest, and the Tamaraws struggled to test State U goalie Anton Yared. The keeper was alert between the posts as he thwarted Dominique Canonigo’s volley.
Near the end of the period, Borlongan should have doubled UP’s advantage as he found himself one-on-one with FEU goalkeeper Dave Parac, only for the latter to deny him with a fine save.
When the game resumed, it was still UP who had the best chances. After Yared caught an Andes attempt, the Fighting Maroons went close to scoring thrice in succession. Kintaro Miyagi first miscued an attempt on goal. Soon afterwards, Borlongan saw his attempt parried away by Parac, and then Tacardon’s rebound was cleared by John Salilig.
UP were made to pay for these missed opportunities in the 75th minute. Left-winger Donggyu Jung penetrated deep into the Fighting Maroons half and unleashed fine strike past Yared to pull a goal back for FEU.
“The last three games, the problem was mental. We had a meeting and I explained about mentality. That’s why we focused, changed our (mindset),” added Park.
Ninety minutes were not enough to find a winner between the two schools. In the end, FEU and UP shared the spoils after the 1-1 draw. “Of course we want to give credit to FEU. They really played a tough (game), especially in the first half they played a really tough game. I think we were out-muscled. We were intimidated,” opined UP coach Anto Gonzales after the game.
The two schools will resume their campaign on February 22 at Rizal Memorial. FEU will look to get their first win of the season against the Adamson University at 2:00 PM, while State U shall take on the National University afterwards at 4:00 PM.
