UAAP Media
MANILA— Defending champion Far Eastern University, despite being reduced to just nine men, pulled off a miraculous 1-1 draw against the University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament on Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Midfielder Czam Acuesta pulled one back for the Tamaraws in the 62nd minute, sending a long-range effort from the top of the box that swerved past UST goalkeeper Mark Daig.
FEU had gone down to nine men earlier after Karl Absalon and RJ Pescadera were sent off for accumulated infractions.
“Napakaling bagay na nawalan kami ng dalawang player pero super proud ako sa team,” shared head coach Jake Morallo.
“Ngayon ko palang naranasan na ang FEU ay naglaro ng may dalawang red card pero pinakita namin ung true spirit of winning mentality at nakai-score pa kami on the first. Sa second half nakayanan namin maghawak ng bola,” he added.
Archie Belluga opened the scoring for UST in the 27th minute, calmly slotting home after a perfectly timed pass from Kyler Escobar that caught FEU goalkeeper Mon Diansuy off guard.
“We were not able to capitalize on the man advantage. They got two red cards and we're leading 1-0, but they let FEU a chance to shoot. We also could not convert on our attempts. It’s a draw, but this feels like a loss,” said UST head coach Marjo Allado.
Moments after Belluga’s goal, match referee Krizmark Naniola was forced to leave the pitch following a collision with a Golden Booter, prompting substitute referee Timothy De Castro to take over officiating duties.
UST winger Kent Dela Pena tried to pull one back late in the match, but reigning MVP Diansuy held his ground and confidently collected the ball.
The Morayta-based squad moved up to fifth in the table, just ahead of idle Adamson University, with four points and a +1 goal difference. They are set to face the University of the East on Thursday at 4 p.m. at the same Diliman pitch.
Meanwhile, UST and De La Salle University share third place, both with five points and a goal difference of zero.
The Golden Booters will return to action on October 16 against the University of the Philippines at 4:00 p.m.