Far Eastern University’s bid for back-to-back championships hit a major roadblock on Sunday as the University of Santo Tomas dealt the defending champions a 2–1 defeat at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The loss erased FEU’s twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament, setting up a rubber match this Friday at 5:00 PM at the same historic venue.
For Tamaraws head coach Jake Morallo, the setback came from a brief lapse in focus that UST capitalized on.
“It was a very intense game. Expected namin na mag-ba-bounce back si UST and they did well today, especially sa transition,” said Morallo.
“Siguro sa second half, early second half, nawala yung concentration ng team. We were relaxed. Siguro doon nangyari yung chances ng UST. Out of concentration, especially sa transition namin, doon kami nawala.”
FEU actually started strong, breaking the deadlock in the 28th minute through Selwyn Mamon’s opener.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
A near-miss from Theo Libarnes, whose shot rattled the post in the first half, also stood out as a pivotal “what-if” moment for the defending champions. Had it gone in, the Golden Booters would have faced a much steeper challenge in the second half.
“Yung mga chances sa early first half, yung kay Libarnes — sobrang laking factor yun na hindi pumasok yung mga shots niya. Siguro kung yun pumasok, na-manage namin yung game nang maganda,” said the former Loyola Meralco Sparks defender.
The disappointment was palpable. FEU official and UAAP Board of Managing Directors member Anton Montinola, who sat by the bench throughout the match, gathered the team in a huddle after the game.
According to Morallo, Montinola’s message was clear: the team cannot afford the complacency that sometimes follows a title win, especially with no safety nets left in this series.
“Andoon si Boss Anton Montinola kanina, nag-open up siya… We were relaxed being a champion. Sabi niya, kailangan namin ipakita na champion kami. We have to do it, we have to prepare. Tingnan natin sa Friday.”
With their backs against the wall, the Tamaraws are rethinking their approach. Morallo hinted at possible changes to the starting 11 and a tighter defensive plan to counter UST’s quick transitions.
“We will play 100%. We have to change a bit yung game plan namin. Paghandaan namin sila sa lahat ng places sa game,” Morallo concluded.
