Defending champion Far Eastern University (FEU) regained its winning ways in emphatic fashion, claiming a 3-0 win against Adamson University at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite.
The Tamaraws were coming off a 1-3 setback to the University of the Philippines in a rematch of last season’s ill-tempered Final 4 clash.
But they got back on track in the UAAP Season 88 men’s football tournament to improve to three points with a +1 goal difference.
“The 3-1 loss last game was a good wake-up call. It was good that it came early. When the team was defending the title, it was the first game jitters always. So it was a good shakeup. I’m pretty pleased with how they performed today,” shared assistant coach Albert Besa on the comeback win.
“We were able to focus mentally on the game, and we were not overestimating, even though, whoever our opponent is, that’s one of the rules, and it was good. They played well.”
Edgar Aban opened the scoring with a flawless free kick in the 17th minute, breaking the deadlock and igniting the Tamaraws’ relentless attack.
The 21-year-old then orchestrated another brilliant move, delivering a pinpoint assist to Czam Acuesta in the 33rd minute to double FEU’s lead.
In the dying moments of the match, Jerby Anito sealed the victory with a decisive strike in the 90+3′ to cap off the Tamaraws’ commanding performance.
With the victory, FEU claimed its first three points of the season and surged to fourth place in the standings with a +1 goal difference. The Tamaraws will look to maintain their momentum as they prepare to face University of Santo Tomas at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 5.
Adamson, meanwhile, battled fiercely against the Morayta squad, constantly probing for cracks in FEU’s solid defense.
Golike Doko came heartbreakingly close to scoring a consolation goal for the Soaring Falcons in the 83rd minute, but the ball drifted agonizingly just inches wide of the goalpost.
The Soaring Falcons remain at the bottom of the standings with zero points and a -6 goal difference.
Adamson will continue its search for a first win when it faces University of the East at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 2 at the same Imus pitch. (ABS-CBN News)