FEU edges close to UAAP football treble, ends 8-year men's football title drought

The FEU Tamaraw Booters secured its sixth UAAP men's football title, and its first since 2015, with a 4-1 victory over the defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles this Thursday in the Finals of the UAAP Season 85 Men's Football tournament.

PHOTO CREDITS: Jaimer Dela Cruz

The Tamaraw Booters started brightly, with an unchecked Khent Valenzuela run from the left coming close barely a minute into the match.

Ateneo saw more of the ball in the early goings, with skipper Szymon Mercado almost getting a goal from the right space, blocked only by the defense. They earned multiple set pieces and throw-ins, with specialist Leo Maquiling and 6-foot-5 Ghanaian target man Kofi Agyei keeping FEU busy.

Yet it was FEU who broke away early, with a Gio Pabualan early cross miscleared by Ateneo defender Wilmer Lopez. Karl Absalon pounced with a turn and shot to give the Tamaraws the lead, 12 minutes into the match.

Absalon again wreaked havoc, dribbling past the Blue Eagles defense into the 6-yard box, pulling it back for Gerald Estores who made it 2-0 in the 30th minute.

Ateneo fans may have felt aggrieved when a Mel Baylon bump on Agyei inside the box after 33 minutes was not called a penalty. Agyei again got free off a corner in the 41st minute, but FEU's Jetrick Fabrigas had once again been called to action to keep it 2-0 by half-time.

The team from Katipunan came off the break the livelier side, but Leo Maquiling could not connect off of Agyei's pass a minute into the second half. Later on, Maquiling from inside the box finds Agyei, who could not lay off or shoot against a tight FEU defense.

Ateneo's efforts have been rewarded with Galen Fernandez pulling one back from just outside the 18-yard box in the 65th minute after a mishit FEU clearance, making it 2-1 with a lot of time left.

A well-taken deep free kick from a tight angle by Gio Pabualan in the 86th minute snuck past everyone to extend the lead to 3-1.

A Bernardo Closa own goal off of clever work from FEU forward Martini Rey deep into stoppage time sealed the deal, sending the title to Morayta for the first time since Season 77.

The Tamaraws had a number of players selected for individual awards. Gio Pabualan was named Best Midfielder and Best Striker, after leading the league with 8 goals. Karl Absalon earned Rookie of the Year honors, while captain Viejay Frigillano won the league's Most Valuable Player award.

Ateneo's Artuz Cezar earned Best Goalkeeper honors, while rookie fullback Fonzy Escobin won Best Defender. The UE Red Warriors were awarded the Fair Play Award.

The focus now turns to the Women's Football final on Sunday, May 21st, where the FEU Lady Tamaraw Booters face off against the DLSU Lady Booters at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. Their football program gets a rare opportunity for a third-ever UAAP football treble, after their men's and boys' teams have secured titles this season.