UAAP: FEU booters claim men's football title

(Updated 7:49pm) With Far Eastern University leading the series with a "70 percent chance for championship," Tamaraws head coach Kim Chul Su said he wanted his players to go in with "not 100 percent, [but] 1000 percent."

And that's exactly what they did, as FEU found the path to gold through striker Jesus Melizza, who headed the sole goal of the game against the University of the Philippines, in game two of the UAAP men's football Finals on Sunday, at the FEU-Diliman field.

"We focused on having one remaining game. Kasi we don't [want to] give a chance to the opponent," Coach Kim told GMA News Online.


The Tams had taken game one in extra time, 4-1, three of those goals coming after the 90 minute mark.

Prior to Sunday's match, FEU last won the men's football title in 2010. UP repeated it's first runner-up finish, suffering the same result at the hands of Ateneo last season.

UP barely pushed through FEU's defense with striker Daniel Gadia struggling up front with his attempts and main striker Jinggoy Valmayor still serving the second of his two-game suspension.

"We had difficulty adjusting with their back line. We prepared playing the ball early, expecting FEU to play their two big central defenders," UP coach Anto Gonzales told GMA News Online. "Instead of showing more to get the ball, we continued asking for the ball, trying to cut the defense."

"I was hoping we could get one [game]," he added."I don't think about those previous achievements already. Iniisip ko present, kung maganda performance ngayon."

FEU midfield Polo Bugas said UP was a tough opponent. "Marami kaming chances against UP, pero mahirap silang kalaban. Mataas respeto namin sa kanila."


Bugas, who was named tournament MVP, also got a playful whipping from his teammates.

"Indian Run yung tawag namin diyan, usually ginagawa kapag may birthday pero napagkasunduan naming gawin sa mananalo ng MVP kung sakali," said Bugas. "Malay ko bang ako yun."

Other winners of individual awards:

• Best defender: Shirmar Felongco (UST)
• Best midfielder: Arnel Amita (FEU)
• Best striker: Jesus Melizza (FEU)
• Best goalkeeper: Ace Villanueva (UP)
• Rookie of the year:- Patxi Santos (UP)
• Fairplay award: University of the East.

FEU's win in the men's division meant a double collegiate championship for the university after the women's team beat UST 2-1 to go back-to-back.

Sharmaine Siatong made the first goal from a Barbie Sobredo assist in the 19th minute to put FEU ahead, followed by Dalesa Dolino's header at the 56th minute. UST's Marice Magdolot scored the Thomasian's consolation goal at the 87th minute.

Awardees for women's football are:

• MVP: Mae Sullano (FEU)
• Best defender: Jena Abuan (UST)
• Best midfielder and striker: Barbie Sobredo (FEU)
• Best goalkeeper- Rara Luna (UST)
• Rookie of the year: Mary Obra (UP)
• Fairplay award: De La Salle University

- AMD, GMA News