Action between FEU and UP in the UAAP Season 87 men's football tournament, November 28, 2024 at the UP Diliman Football Stadium. UAAP MediaMANILA -- Defending champion University of the Philippines stormed back from two goals down to claim a 2-2 draw with Far Eastern University in the UAAP Season 87 men's football tournament on Thursday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Ramil Bation III netted a second-half brace to hike his goal total to seven as the Fighting Maroons earned a point to keep their hopes alive of finishing as the No. 1 team in the eliminations.
Third-running UP is now with 23 points, two off league-leading Ateneo.
The Tamaraws finished the elimination round with 24 points, in second spot behind the Blue Eagles.
"Of course, one of the messages is how we can emulate or excel coming from the UST game. The message was to keep that hunger and help each other on the field. If one makes a mistake, the other is there to cover for it. And of course, the effort—clearly, it showed throughout the ninety minutes plus stoppage time. The effort was there, everyone was there to cover and help one another. It showed in how we were able to equalize against FEU," said UP head coach Popoy Clarino.
The final elimination round matches on Sunday will determine the Final 4 pairings.
UP will face also-ran De La Salle, while Ateneo takes on University of Santo Tomas.
READ: UE men out of Final 4 race after draw vs. Ateneo
Karl Absalon opened the scoring with a 18th minute penalty before FEU doubled the lead courtesy of Selwyn Mamon in the 80th minute. The Fighting Maroons pulled one back after Bation struck in the 86th minute before producing a stoppage-time equalizer that broke the backs of the Tamaraws.
"We've always trusted our players. Whoever we put in, we place our full trust in them. We know they can do the job, and they showed it. We're happy with their performance, and hopefully, we can carry this experience into the following games," Clarino said.