FAILING TO defend their longstanding lead, the Ateneo Men’s Football Team (AMFT) collapsed down the stretch, falling to the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 1-2. The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 Final Four match took place earlier this afternoon at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in the City of Manila.
Despite both sides trading shots throughout the onset of the match, the Blue Eagles showcased better offensive prowess by coming up with great sequences early on. By the 13th minute, a throw-in by Leo Maquiling reached Kofi Agyei, whose impressive header was picked up by the FEU keeper Jetrick Fabrigas. Right after, a close attempt by Galen Fernandez ended with the same result.
From thereon, the Katipunan-based XI remained determined to draw first blood against the defending champions. The Atenean trio would come up huge in the 28th minute as a long pass from Maquiling to Agyei ended up with Fernandez, whose close-range strike sealed Ateneo’s first goal, 1-0.
Three minutes later, the Blue Eagles would avert disaster after a handball violation, with the Tamaraws’ free-kick attempt skying above the crossbar. Locking down Ateneo’s defense, Goalkeeper of the Year frontrunner Artuz Cezar bolstered his bid with timely saves throughout the opening 45, including an all-important catch at the 37th minute.
After their first-half momentum, the Blue Eagles were quick in transitioning to a more defensive approach in the second-half’s early stages. The Ateneo defenders, led by veteran left back Ildefonse Escobin, swarmed the FEU’s attackers who made multiple attempts to generate plays on the right wing.
With the AMFT switching tactics to maintain their 1-0 lead, Ateneo suffered from crucial injuries that caused the team to slow down. First-half goal scorer Fernandez went down with an injury in the 68th minute. As such, the Blue Eagle midfielder was stretchered off the field, being subbed off for co-midfielder Lorenzo Lucindo.
Just four minutes later, Team Captain Josie Lopez also dealt with an apparent injury which created a temporary 10 versus 11 disadvantage for the Blue and White.
Despite all their efforts in keeping their single-goal lead, the Blue Eagles ultimately conceded to the Tamaraws in a last-minute heartbreaker. With only four minutes left in added time, a Martini Rey header off a Sherwin Basindanan corner kick tied things up for FEU, resulting in 30 more minutes of added time.
Entering the additional half-hour of play to break the deadlock, both teams looked gassed as they made sloppy passes and lapses on both ends of the field. Both semifinalists also applied their delaying tactics to generate resting time for the exhausted players.
After 109 long minutes of play, Basindanan found just enough room to generate a shot that squeaked past Blue Eagle goalkeeper Cezar. Having one goal and one assist to his name, Basindanan proved to be the difference maker for FEU as the full-time whistle blew, 2-1.
Failing to break its losing streak against the titleholders, the Blue and White settled for fourth place in this season’s Men’s Football Tournament. The Blue Eagles will be looking forward to their UAAP Season 87 campaign as they continue their hopes of bringing back the football crown to Katipunan.
