UAAP Men's Football: Draws see FEU in Final Four, UST in with a chance; AdU end UE's season

The FEU Tamaraw Booters and the UST Golden Booters shared the points, 1-1, while the UE Red Warriors and the Adamson Soaring Falcons battled to a scoreless stalemate in the UAAP Men's Football Tournament at the UP Diliman Football Field this Sunday.

PHOTO CREDITS: UAAP

The first match was a battle between contrasting styles of football, the FEU Tamaraw Booters preferring a possession-based style while the UST Golden Booters looking to go on the counter.

The España-based side risked by pushing their lines and being aggressive on the counter-attack. The ploy worked to great effect, opening the scoring through Kyler Escobar in the 21st minute, pouncing on a misplaced pass from the FEU defense.

FEU was knocking on the Golden Booters' door after the opener, sticking to their buildup and eventually getting their groove. In virtually the last kick of the half, Pabualan equalized from just outside the box, pouncing on a clearance from the UST defense.

The Tamaraw Booters made a push early in the second half, notably Stephen Soria misfiring in front of an open net after 53 minutes. Substitute Sherwin Basindanan also went close with a missed bicycle kick in the 74th minute.

But late on, it was all UST as they looked to secure a Final Four spot. Golden Booters forward Stephen Marasigan almost converted with a header from close range in the 85th minute and was denied by a controversial penalty non-call right at the death.

PHOTO CREDIT: UAAP

The second match featured the Adamson Soaring Falcons who, despite being already eliminated, played spoiler by holding the playoff-chasing UE Red Warriors 0-0.

Both sides played their brand of transition football, and it was apparent in the end-to-end action in the first half.

UE's Jerome Abarca threatened early, his shot in the 4th minute blocked by Adamson keeper Andrew Nalog. Nikko Palacio also came close in the 36th minute, as left-back Champ Marin found him free inside the 6-yard box.

Adamson had chances of their own, with Cameroonian midfielder Darlton Digha creating for LJ Jayaon in the 9th minute, and his header in the 22nd minute just wide off a UE deflection.

Early in the second half, the Soaring Falcons' John Tirado found Nikko Arañas on a one-on-one against the goalkeeper, but the Red Warriors' Lance Bencio was first to the ball.

The Red Warriors could have scored late on but calls for a penalty after 87 minutes were denied by the referee. Eldrin Madrid also went close in the 88th minute, but his header deflected over the bar by keeper Nalog.

Adamson could have sealed their first win late on, but Nikko Arañas failed to connect on a well-struck delivery from deep by Digha. The Cameroonian midfielder then found John Coquilla wide open in stoppage time, forcing Bencio to contest for the ball.

With today's results, FEU is in the Final Four, currently at third (19 points) with a match to play. The UST Golden Booters close their elimination round temporarily in fourth spot (17 points).

The UE Red Warriors are out of the Final Four race in fifth (16 points), not helped by a poor run of form, while the Adamson Soaring Falcons improve to 2 points.

The last Final Four slot will be between UP and UST, and their fates will be decided by the match between FEU and UP, while already-qualified ADMU and DLSU rekindle their rivalry afterward. Both matches will be played on May 3rd at the UP Diliman Football Field.